What is majoritarianism ? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils ? Explain with examples.

Bikram Sahoo · 17th Sep 2020 .

Saraswati Mohanty · 17th Sep 2020 .

Sri Lanka became independent in 1948. It immediately adopted measures to impose Sinhala supremacy.

(i) The Tamils felt alienated. No respect or recognition was given to their language, culture and religion.

(ii) They began a struggle for equality in jobs, entry to the university, recognition of their language and culture.

(iii) Slowly the conflict changed into a demand for regional autonomy.

(iv) The Tamilians were grouped together in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

(v) Their demands were ignored, the conflict became more severe and by the 1980s, the Tamilian demand had changed.

(vi) They wanted Tamil Eelam in the North and East. A civil war ensued, which killed thousands on both sides.

(vii) The flourishing economy of Sri Lanka has disappeared and the conflict has given a blow to social, cultural and economic life of Sri Lanka.