Sri Lanka's Tamil Identity Crisis and the role of the Sri Lankan Government

Authors

  • Muhammad Madni Asghar (Phd Scholar, Political Science-Islamia University Bahawalpur). Author
  • Dr. Safdar Hussain Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Islamia University Bahawalpur) Author
  • Dr. Syed Mussawar Hussain Bukhari (Chairman-Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Islamia University Bahawalpur) Author

Keywords:

Tamil, Sinhalese, Regional autonomy, Sri Lankan Government, India

Abstract

Sri Lanka secured independence from the British suzerainty a year after Pakistan-India freedom 
in 1947. There are two main ethnic groups in Sri Lanka called Sinhalese and Tamil. The 
relationship between the two main groups has been fragile since liberation. The British managed 
Sinhalese and Tamil relationship to maintain their dominance, but soon their departure, clashes 
broke out between the two groups. Three factors created cleavages between the two groups 
which profoundly dented Sri Lanka's unity: language, ethnicity, and non-permanent residential 
status. Many Tamil households were displaced and lived as refugees in other areas and 
countries. Historical records suggest that Tamils have been native to Sri Lanka for centuries.
Therefore, the central objective of the study is to evaluate the challenges faced by Tamils 
including regional autonomy and post British Raj identity. Furthermore, the aim is to examine 
the role of Sri Lankan government in solving issues of Tamil community.

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Published

2019-12-31

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 52 (2019): Al-Az̤vā

Section

Articles