Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies

1. Conflict in Multi-Ethnic Societies Sri Lanka & Northern Ireland

2. Why are the Sinhalese and Tamils in Conflict 4.1 Citizenship Rights 4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy 4.3 University Admission Criteria 4.4 Resettlement

3. 4.1 Citizenship Rights • Ceylon Citizenship Act passed (1948) • Citizenship granted to people born in Sri Lanka • Indian Tamils became stateless • Indian Tamils did not have basic citizenship rights • Many Indians still worked on plantations and contributed to the Sri Lankan economy

4. 4.1 Citizenship Rights • India helps stateless Indian Tamils (1964) • A certain number return to India • Rest to be granted Sri Lankan citizenship • Agreement not fully carried out • 100,000 Indian Tamils remain stateless

5. 4.1 Citizenship Rights • Grant of Citizenship to Persons of Indian Origin Bill passed (2003) • Citizenship given to any person of Indian origin who have stayed in Sri Lanka since 1964

6. 4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy • Under British rule, English-educated Tamils had powerful jobs in government • Sinhalese were disadvantaged as they could not read or write English well.

7. 4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy • Sinhala declared official language under Official Language Act (1956) • Sinhala used in administration • Tamils given 3 years to learn Sinhala or be dismissed. • Tamils upset as they found it difficult to find jobs or be promoted

8. 4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy • Peaceful demonstration held but disrupted • Rioting occurred and deaths resulted • Sri Lankan govt and Tamil leader sign pact (1957) • Tamil made language of administration in Northern and Eastern areas where most Tamils lived • Tensions still increased

9. 4.2 ‘Sinhala Only’ Policy • Since then, Sri Lankan constitution has granted greater recognition to the Tamil language • In the Northern and Eastern provinces, Tamil is • The National Language • Language of Administration • Official Language

10. 4.3 University Admission Criteria • Before 1970, entry into university was merit-based and it benefited the English-educated • Proportion of Tamils entering university was higher than Sinhalese in terms of population • Almost equal number of Tamils and Sinhalese entered the more respected courses (medicine and engineering)

11. 4.3 University Admission Criteria • After 1970, a new admission criteria was introduced. • Tamils had to score more than Sinhalese • Places in university were reserved for Sinhalese • Admission was no longer merit-based

12. 4.4 Resettlement • Indian Tamil population were concentrated in the highland districts • Sri Lankan Tamil population make up 95% of the Jaffna peninsula • Sinhalese are found in large numbers everywhere except Jaffna and Batticaloa

13. 4.4 Resettlement • Resettlement Policy (1950s) • Sinhalese peasants transferred from densely populated areas to Tamil areas • Sinhalese peasants given land to cultivate • Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan army (mostly Sinhalese) also occupied Tamil land

14. 4.4 Resettlement • Whole Tamil villages were emptied out • Sinhalese moved into land that belonged to Tamils. • Settlers were also armed.