“Ethnic Dynamics in Sri Lanka: A Study of Conflict and Peace”

Humanity has long been entrenched in the currents of globalization and enduring change. Amidst this landscape, conflict has persistently shaped not just international relations but also the societal fabric and governance structures worldwide. Yet, while conflict can sometimes spur progress in political, social, and economic spheres, it often leaves devastation in its wake. Indeed, many intra-state conflicts throughout history have revolved around ethnic or national identity, highlighting the complexities inherent in such crises.

In this essay, we delve into the causes of conflict and civil war in Sri Lanka, a nation grappling with deep-seated tensions. Specifically, we examine the role ethnicity plays in fueling this protracted civil strife. By exploring these dynamics, we aim to shed light on the intricate interplay between cultural identity, political maneuvering, and societal unrest.

Ultimately, we confront not only the historical legacies that underpin the conflict in Sri Lanka but also the contemporary forces shaping its trajectory. Through this exploration, we strive to offer insights into the multifaceted nature of conflict resolution, navigating the intricate balance between tradition, identity, and governance in fostering lasting peace.

What is Ethnic Conflict

The phrase ethnic conflict is used as a means to describe a form of conflict in which the goal, cause and or solution of at least one party is based on ethnicity or antecedents. Nonetheless, ethnic conflicts are usually not based on physical differences in themselves but rather political, social or territorial facilitations (Reuter, 2019).What’s more ethnic conflict in today’s global epoch has become aforemost threat to not only international peace and security but the facilitation of a social legacy based on collective variance. Furthermore, ethnic conflicts are usually accompanied by gross human rights violations as can be noted with the events which took place in Balhans, WWI, WWII, Rewanda and Iraq over the past century. Nonetheless, this does not necessarily mean that all people in a post-conflict constituency are politically active or engage in conflict. In addition to this veracity ethnic conflict is known for the destabilizing effect it has on provinces, states and in some cases even whole continents (Reuter, 2019)

Historical Background Sri Lanka

The Democratic socialist republic of Sri Lanka formerly known as ‘Ceylon’ under British rule refers to an island state located within South East Asia, alongside the ‘Bengal’ bay towards the Arabian Sea. This constituency has a total land mass of proximately 6200 square kilometres and consists of landscapes that are not only miscellaneous but vary. From rainforests, acid plains to highlands and even sunny beaches (Minas, 2015). Additionally, this region is considered to be of great historic relevance due to the fact that it contains evidence of pre-historic human settlements dating back at least 125,000 years. What’s more, during the colonial era harbours in this district served as a pivotal checkpoint as they were situated along the Marline silk routes. Furthermore, this expanse has a very rich cultural and philosophical historical reputation as one of the very first known Buddhist manuscripts where located in this region and date back to almost 29 B.C (Punchihewa, 2008).The British were however the last colonial power to rule over this region and when they arrived the country was predominantly dominated by Sinhalese speakers whose ancestors arrived on the island approximately 5000 years prior.

Nonetheless, the identification of this populations historical, genetic, linguistic and cultural origins has remained a difficult archaeological question to answer. This is however as a result of the fact that Sinhala and Tamil speakers within in the region are adherents to Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. In addition to this veracity, difficulty in identifying the linguistic, cultural and historical origins of this populace rotates around the fact that in its 443 years of subjugation under colonial rule this constituency has been under the tenet of four different nations. The Portuguese from 1505–1648, the Dutch 1658–1796, British 1796–1948 and for a few months the French, until the Sinhalese community were given sovereignty of the region by the British in 1948(Hewapathirana, 2010).Nonetheless as a result of the vast dimensions imposed by decolonization with regard to ethnicity, nationality and indifferent ideological values; strife and conflict has become a normality for the populations of this constituency.

The Sri Lankan Civil War

The Civil War which has plagued this expanse for almost three decades initially began in 1948 when the British left direct of the state to the the Buddhist Sinhalese. Immediately following decolonization however, the Sinhalese majority began passing laws and policies that not only discriminated but alienated minority groups within the region (n.a, 1988). This was however especially the case against the Hindu Tamales who also played a fundamental role in ushering independence for the populations of this state (Szczepanski, 2019). Comparatively, this was done, even though after gaining sovereignty the ruling United National party made numerous promises that despite their history of indifference; the Tamal people moving forward into an autonomous Sri Lanka would have their language and rights protected

What’s more the Sinhalese administration of this region perpetuated this actuality by making Buddhism not only the national religion and language but agent in the formulation of new interstate policies (Sumanadasa, 1986). Additionally, this situation became further antagonized after the creation of the Ceylon citizenship act of 1948 which effective immediately made it impossible for Indian Tamales to acquire active citizenship. (Uyangoda, 2005) As a consequence ,this new act not only exposed an estimate of 700,00 people to the anguish imposed by statelessness but lead to the creation of a civil war which would span almost three decades. This situation did however meet its inevitable consensus in 1983 when ethnic protests and riots broke out in Colombo. Comparatively, although the demonstration turned violent and resulted in the deaths of 13 Sinhalese solders it ultimately resulted in the deaths of almost 3000 Tamale civilizians.

Role of ethnicity in the civil war

Although the ethnic conflict which has plagued this region was initially based on the ill provision of collective, financial and political facilitates to minority groups, the phrase ethnic conflict is used as a term to describe conflict between groups, organisations or people based on antecedents. Consequently, as a result of the dimensions imposed by this veracity, the role of ethnicity when examining the conflict in Sri Lanka is based on linear historical events with one occurring after the other (Hennayake, 1990). Subsequently, the role of ethnicity in perpetuating this conflict can be noted through the observation of three contextual environmental policies based on a linguistic, educational and political capacity. Moreover, after leadership of this region was given to the United National party led by Dan Stephen Senanyake , state priorities immediately became focused on the preservation of Sinhalese ethnic identity, religious conviction, mores and language directly over the Tamil minority (Hellmann-Rajanayagam & Manogaran, 1989).

This agenda was nonetheless perpetuated as a direct result of the fact that Sinhalese Buddhists made approximately 74% of national population whilst comparatively the minority groups were divided ethnically based on Tamils of Sri Lankan decent and Tamales of Indian decent brought to this constituency to work on British plantations(Szczepanski, 2019).In addition to this veracity, another root cause of the conflict between these two groups rotates around the social legacy facilitated by colonization. Under British colonial rule a popular strategy was based on the premise ‘divide and conquer’, the British would however carry out this strategy by privileging the minority groups the ‘Tamils’ with superior educational, social and employment opportunities.

As a consequence, over the years of colonial rule in this region the Sinhalese not only began to feel the dimensions of prejudice and discrimination but harbor feelings of resentment towards the Tamils. What’s, more when Sri Lanka became an independent state in 1948 sated with a western style of interstate governance, Britain over looked one deep-seated flaw that would ultimately be the driving factor behind the conflict which has plagued this region for decades. When the British left administrative authority to National Party they ignored the fact that although the Sinhalese were the majority population, in some areas more specifically towards northern parts of the state and to a lesser extent the east Tamils constitute as the majority populace (Szczepanski, 2019).

Sinhalese and Tamil ethnic divsion

What’s more, the ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka is as a direct consequence of the manner in which administrative authority manipulated the political system to their benefit (PERERA, 1992). This veracity can be noted as when unemployment, poverty and socio-economic activity within this nation-state began to depreciate the Sinhalese response to this endemic, became based on using ethnicity as a means to not only explain growing disparities between the rich and poor but insure integrity of the ‘status-quo(Hellmann-Rajanayagam & Manogaran, 1989)’. Furthermore, when the Sinhala community attempted and failed to create a Buddhist state in 1970 the administrative council of this region adopted an authoritative governmental edict. The Tamil leaders of this region comparatively articulated their frustration by encouraging the principal of defensive nationalism amongst its own people (Hennayake, 1990).

This ethnic variance was nonetheless further antagonised in 1972 when a new constitution was passed which made Sinhala the national official language. Consequently, this development ultimately became the driving force for minority groups (Tamales) to express their social grievances. Consequently, as direct result the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam was formed (Sumanadasa, 1986). This organisation was a Tamil militant and political organization based in north-eastern Sri Lanka, formed with the sole intention to serve as mechanism to aid in the Successful succession from Sri Lanka and formation of a new state known as Tamil Elam. (Naidoo, 2000).

Conclusion

Hence fourth in conclusion, although for century’s humanity has led an existence riddled by the ideals of not only perpetual globalization but ceaseless variance in today’s global ethnic conflict has become one of the greatest factors when examining interstate conflict mechanisms. What’s more, after an examination of the dimensions imposed by populations, ‘conflict’ as an interstate occurrence has remained not only a constant variable when analysing foreign policy capabilities but the conscious transformations’ nation states have made over time to accommodate minority groups . Nonetheless, although in some cases conflict can serve as a tool to facilitate political, social and economic development; this is not always the case. This veracity can be noted as a majority of intra-state conflicts in recorded history have been based on the premise of either ethnicity or nationality. Consequently as a result of the complexities imposed by this quandary in this essay I have come to understand that even though conflict as an interstate mechanism has the ability to ultimately not only destabilize nations but infringe on the sanctity of sovereign border. Nonetheless, regardless of this actuality it has become apparent through this reading that in some regions if left unchecked ethnic conflict has the ability to facilitate legacies based on both ethnic strife and variance.

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