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CONFLICT IN MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETIES:

CASE STUDY CASE STUDY 1:1:

Sri LankaSri Lanka CASE STUDY CASE STUDY 2:2:

N IrelandN Ireland

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Why do people of different Why do people of different races and religions races and religions

disagree?disagree? Not allowed to keep traditional way Not allowed to keep traditional way

of life; forced to adopt different set of life; forced to adopt different set of customs and traditionsof customs and traditions

Language and education policies Language and education policies which do not consider their interestswhich do not consider their interests

Law has been unfair to themLaw has been unfair to them Fight for control of powerFight for control of power Disagreement on how the country Disagreement on how the country

should be ruledshould be ruled Job opportunities or economic Job opportunities or economic

resourcesresources

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How do people resolve these How do people resolve these disagreements?disagreements?

ToleranceTolerance Peaceful protest & marchesPeaceful protest & marches Hunger strikesHunger strikes Taking up armsTaking up arms

Diplomatic negotiations to Diplomatic negotiations to work out a peace settlementwork out a peace settlement

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Conflict in Multi-Conflict in Multi-ethnicethnic

Sri LankaSri Lanka

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77

First,

The scenic side of Sri Lanka…

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How is Sri Lanka like these days?

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Some parts in Colombo are marred by …

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Tamil woman suicide bomber killed 23, wounded 60Tamil woman suicide bomber killed 23, wounded 60Friday 05, July 1996 Friday 05, July 1996

[Source : http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/nm58/suicide.htm][Source : http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/nm58/suicide.htm]

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The setting for a violatile situation

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Map 2000Map 2000

SRI LANKANSSRI LANKANS

3 major races3 major races

SINHALESESINHALESE

TAMILSTAMILS

MOORSMOORS

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SINHALESE SINHALESE SPEAK SINHALA; BUDDHISTS

TAMILS TAMILS SPEAK TAMIL; HINDUS

• Sri Lankan TamilsSri Lankan Tamils• Descendants of Tamils who have been Descendants of Tamils who have been

living in Sri Lanka for centuriesliving in Sri Lanka for centuries

• Indian TamilsIndian Tamils• Descendants of tea plantation Descendants of tea plantation

workers brought in from India by the workers brought in from India by the BritishBritish

MOORS MOORS MUSLIMS

• Descendants of Arab or Indian Muslim Descendants of Arab or Indian Muslim traderstraders

1717

Distribution of different Distribution of different racial groups in Sri racial groups in Sri

Lanka, 1993Lanka, 1993

Indian Tamils

Sri Lankan Tamils

Sri Lankan Tamils

18% of population are Tamils

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1798 to 1948 1798 to 1948 – British ColonyBritish Colony

4 Feb 19484 Feb 1948– Gained independenceGained independence– Known as CeylonKnown as Ceylon

22 May 197222 May 1972– Officially became known as the Officially became known as the

Socialist Republic of Sri LankaSocialist Republic of Sri Lanka

SRI LANKASRI LANKA

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But why did conflict arise?

2020

SRI LANKASRI LANKA

Racial DifferencesRacial DifferencesSinhalese vs TamilsSinhalese vs Tamils

Conflicts overConflicts overCitizenship rightsCitizenship rights

Language policyLanguage policy

University AdmissionUniversity Admission

Resettlement of PopulationResettlement of Population

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Political decisions that Political decisions that led to conflict …led to conflict …

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Citizenship rightsCitizenship rights

1948: Indian Tamils became stateless due 1948: Indian Tamils became stateless due to amendment in citizenship clausesto amendment in citizenship clauses

1964: Indian Tamils who were stateless 1964: Indian Tamils who were stateless received help from India to become received help from India to become citizens of India againcitizens of India again

This did not legalize till late 1980s and This did not legalize till late 1980s and thus, not improving on the situation of the thus, not improving on the situation of the stateless Indian Tamils stateless Indian Tamils

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‘‘Sinhala only’ policySinhala only’ policy

Under the British rule, the minority Under the British rule, the minority English-educated Tamils were able to English-educated Tamils were able to occupy some fo the most powerful jobs in occupy some fo the most powerful jobs in the government service.the government service.Eight years after independence, in 1956, Eight years after independence, in 1956, Sinhala was declared as the country’s Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language. official language. Sinhala, not English, was to be used as Sinhala, not English, was to be used as administrative language administrative language

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impactimpact

Peaceful demonstration against the Peaceful demonstration against the Official language Act took place.Official language Act took place.Supporters of the Sinhala language Supporters of the Sinhala language disrupted the demonstration.disrupted the demonstration.Rioting occurred and hundreds died.Rioting occurred and hundreds died.

- - What action did the government do to What action did the government do to appease the situation?appease the situation?

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July 1958July 1958 Pact signed which Pact signed which

made Tamil made made Tamil made language of national language of national minority and used for minority and used for administrative administrative purposes in areas purposes in areas where there were where there were TamilsTamils

ConsequenceConsequence

• protests from Sinhalese which resulted in protests from Sinhalese which resulted in withdrawal of pact in 1958 Violence withdrawal of pact in 1958 Violence escalatedescalated

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In1978In1978

Tamil declared national language in Sri Tamil declared national language in Sri Lankan Constitution and used mainly for Lankan Constitution and used mainly for administration in northern and eastern parts of administration in northern and eastern parts of the country as well as an official language.the country as well as an official language.

English used as medium of communication English used as medium of communication amongst the different groups.amongst the different groups.

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Second issue of Second issue of contention…contention…

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University admissionUniversity admission

Before 1970Before 1970 Based on meritBased on merit Medium of instruction in exams: EnglishMedium of instruction in exams: English Sinhalese dissatisfied that there were almost Sinhalese dissatisfied that there were almost

as many Tamils as Sinhalese in the university as many Tamils as Sinhalese in the university medical and engineering coursesmedical and engineering courses

Did not reflect population proportion in the Did not reflect population proportion in the countrycountry

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After 1970, the government introduced After 1970, the government introduced new university admission criteria.new university admission criteria.

Measures taken to lessen Tamil students Measures taken to lessen Tamil students in university – in university – what are these measures?what are these measures? Consequence: significant fall in percentage of Consequence: significant fall in percentage of

Tamil students as opposed to rise of Tamil students as opposed to rise of Sinhalese studentsSinhalese students

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Third issue of Third issue of contention…contention…

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Indian Tamils lived in highland Indian Tamils lived in highland districtsdistrictsSri Lankan Tamils located mainly in Sri Lankan Tamils located mainly in Jaffna & BatticaloaJaffna & Batticaloa

Policy in 1950 to resettle poor Policy in 1950 to resettle poor Sinhalese peasants from densely Sinhalese peasants from densely populated central and southwestern populated central and southwestern parts to the Tamil-majority areas parts to the Tamil-majority areas

Resettling of SinhaleseResettling of Sinhalese

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Population ResettlementPopulation Resettlement

Consequence:Consequence:Tamils who felt that the Sinhalese were ‘intruders in their Tamils who felt that the Sinhalese were ‘intruders in their territories’-territories’-

Sinhalese peasantsSinhalese peasantsBuddhist monksBuddhist monksSoldiers who were mainly SinhaleseSoldiers who were mainly Sinhalese

Whole villages were driven out by the Sri Lankan Whole villages were driven out by the Sri Lankan army to be occupied by Sinhalese settlersarmy to be occupied by Sinhalese settlers

The new settlers were also provided protection by the The new settlers were also provided protection by the armyarmy

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impactimpact

Unhappiness amongst Tamils felt Unhappiness amongst Tamils felt marginalized and rejected by the marginalized and rejected by the large-scale government large-scale government resettlement schemes into these resettlement schemes into these traditional areas of Tamilstraditional areas of Tamils

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Consequences of Consequences of conflict..conflict..

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Political Political consequencesconsequences

of the Sinhalese-of the Sinhalese-Tamil conflictTamil conflict

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Tamils embarked on armed conflictTamils embarked on armed conflict

Peaceful demands Peaceful demands made initiallymade initially 1950: Federal party 1950: Federal party

requested for recognition requested for recognition of federation of Tamil of federation of Tamil areas in the country.areas in the country.

1976: Tamil United 1976: Tamil United Liberation Front formed Liberation Front formed to fight for independent to fight for independent state for the Tamilsstate for the Tamils Separate state to be Separate state to be

known as known as Tamil EelamTamil Eelam

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Rejection by government to Rejection by government to the demandsthe demands In 1976, the militant group In 1976, the militant group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or Tamil TigersTigers was formed to was formed to pressure the government to pressure the government to give in to their demandsgive in to their demands

Sinhalese also showed Sinhalese also showed hostility towards Tamils hostility towards Tamils through violence. Between through violence. Between 1981-1983 anti-Tamil riots 1981-1983 anti-Tamil riots broke outbroke out

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During the 1983 riots, 13 During the 1983 riots, 13 Sinhalese soldiers were Sinhalese soldiers were killed by the Tamil Tigerskilled by the Tamil Tigers

The riots sparked a long The riots sparked a long armed conflict between armed conflict between government forces and Tamil government forces and Tamil Tigers in the struggle for self Tigers in the struggle for self rule in the north and east of rule in the north and east of the country.the country.

The internal war has been The internal war has been on-going for 20 years, and on-going for 20 years, and cost more than 60,000 lives.cost more than 60,000 lives.

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Intervention from IndiaIntervention from India

Initially played the role of mediator in Initially played the role of mediator in response to 1983 riotsresponse to 1983 riots Mediator: neutral party who acts as Mediator: neutral party who acts as

peacemaker to resolve conflictspeacemaker to resolve conflicts

However, peace talks between Sinhalese However, peace talks between Sinhalese and Tamils (initiated by India) and Tamils (initiated by India) FAILEDFAILED

In June 1987, Indian government decided In June 1987, Indian government decided to send food supplies and petroleum to to send food supplies and petroleum to help the Tamil minority in Sri Lankahelp the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka

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Map of Sri LankaMap of Sri Lanka

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BUT BUT Sri Lankan Sri Lankan navy turned them navy turned them awayaway

Indian Air Force Indian Air Force decided to send decided to send their supplies their supplies through air, through air, resulting in resulting in violation of Sri violation of Sri Lankan airspaceLankan airspace

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July 1987: to resolve conflict with India over the July 1987: to resolve conflict with India over the abovementioned incident, peace accord was abovementioned incident, peace accord was signed. It included:signed. It included: Ceasefire between Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan Ceasefire between Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan

forcesforces Tamil Tigers toTamil Tigers to surrender all their arms to Indian surrender all their arms to Indian

peacekeeping troopspeacekeeping troops Merging of northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka Merging of northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka

where Tamils are dominant groupwhere Tamils are dominant group

4343

Peacekeeping: successful?Peacekeeping: successful?NO! Why?NO! Why?Tamil Tigers failed to abide Tamil Tigers failed to abide to the agreement to to the agreement to surrender their weaponssurrender their weapons

Indian troops took over Indian troops took over Tamil-dominated Jaffna Tamil-dominated Jaffna

Confrontations are between Confrontations are between Indian troops and Tamil Indian troops and Tamil Tigers from then onwardsTigers from then onwards

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Economic consequencesEconomic consequences of the of the

Sinhalese-Tamil conflictSinhalese-Tamil conflict

4545

UnemploymentUnemploymentRiots of July 1983 left Riots of July 1983 left many factory workers, many factory workers, plantation and self-plantation and self-employed jobless employed jobless

E.g. destroying their E.g. destroying their workplaces by workplaces by vandalism or burning vandalism or burning them downthem down

crime rate in the country rose as a large number crime rate in the country rose as a large number of Sinhalese took part in vandalism, looting and of Sinhalese took part in vandalism, looting and burning of their places of work occurredburning of their places of work occurred

,

4646

Investment loss from other Investment loss from other countriescountries

InvestmentsInvestments play a vital role in the play a vital role in the economic growth of Sri Lankaeconomic growth of Sri Lanka

However, riots in the country led to fall in However, riots in the country led to fall in investments due to the investments due to the instabilityinstability

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Fall in tourismFall in tourism

Tourism is another Tourism is another major component of major component of the economy in Sri the economy in Sri LankaLanka

Riots=>loss of jobs=> Riots=>loss of jobs=> fall of economyfall of economy

Fall in tourismwhich Fall in tourismwhich resulted in loss of resulted in loss of jobs and decline in jobs and decline in the economythe economy

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Social consequencesSocial consequences of the of the

Sinhalese-Tamil conflictSinhalese-Tamil conflict

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Sri Lankan Tamils driven out of their homeland

•Large-scale displacement of Tamils (in July 1983, many Tamils fled to Tamil Nadu)

•In 1990s, High Security Zones (HSZ) were set up by Sri Lankan army to contain LTTE

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In 1995, many Tamils fled their homes In 1995, many Tamils fled their homes when the Sri Lankan army moved into when the Sri Lankan army moved into Jaffna to take on the LTTE.Jaffna to take on the LTTE.

Today, many Tamils still live in Today, many Tamils still live in overcrowded conditions in refugee overcrowded conditions in refugee camps or with relatives and friendscamps or with relatives and friends

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2005 Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadingamar a 2005 Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadingamar a Tamil was assassinated His campaign against a Tamil was assassinated His campaign against a separate Tamil state angered LTTE, a setback to separate Tamil state angered LTTE, a setback to peacepeace

A string of attacks ensuedA string of attacks ensued

Tamil Tigers vowed to use available resources to Tamil Tigers vowed to use available resources to obtain independenceobtain independence

Peace talks to commence in 2006Peace talks to commence in 2006

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Women and children massacred by LTTE in Kotiyagala Women and children massacred by LTTE in Kotiyagala in Monaragala District in Sri Lanka, Dec 1995in Monaragala District in Sri Lanka, Dec 1995

Srhttp://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/nm58/weli.htmSrhttp://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/nm58/weli.htm

5555

Is peace possible?Is peace possible?

2002 Peace talks on 2002 Peace talks on ceasefire pactceasefire pact

LTTE dissatisfiedLTTE dissatisfied

First Suicide bomb First Suicide bomb since 2001since 2001

Devastation was large Devastation was large - 30,000- 30,000

Foreign aid not given Foreign aid not given to both to both

5656

Was the formation of the Was the formation of the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) a LTTE (Tamil Tigers) a

help or hindrance to the help or hindrance to the Tamil cause?Tamil cause?