The Sri Lankan government’s recent decision to rebuild a demolished memorial at Jaffna University has sparked widespread attention toward the long-standing and unresolved issues of minority rights for Tamils in Sri Lanka. The memorial honored the Tamil civilians who lost their lives during the civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan Army in 2009.
Tamil Issues in Sri Lanka
The problems faced by Sri Lankan Tamils can be traced back to the 1950s or even earlier. Following Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948, the government denied the majority of Tamils Sri Lankan citizenship due to their Indian ancestry. This left many Tamils living in poverty within the country’s tea estates.
Linguistic and Religious Discrimination
Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority escalated in 1956 when Sinhala was declared the official language of Sri Lanka. This move resulted in widespread discrimination against Tamils. Throughout the 1960s, the discrimination continued with Buddhism being promoted as the state religion and the number of Tamils in state employment and higher education institutions drastically reduced.
The Rise of the LTTE and Civil War
The Tamil populace initially responded to their oppression through political and non-violent protest movements. By the 1970s, however, there was a shift towards Tamil separatism and militancy, culminating in the formation of the LTTE. This self-proclaimed “national freedom movement of the people of Tamil Eelam” launched a guerilla war against the government and administration, resulting in prolonged conflict and millions of casualties. The civil war eventually ended in 2009, with significant help from India.
Concerns for India
The civil war also had direct implications for India, including the challenge of accommodating and rehabilitating a significant number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who settled in Tamil Nadu to escape the conflict. Additionally, the Indian government faced criticism for allegedly ignoring the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils to maintain good relations with Sri Lanka.
India – Sri Lanka Relations
Despite these concerns, India and Sri Lanka have taken significant steps towards improving bilateral relations, including through high-level political exchanges, currency swap agreements, and collaborative efforts to address shared issues such as terrorism and the straying of fishermen across international boundaries.
India’s Support and Collaboration Efforts
India has extended considerable support to Sri Lanka, including a USD 400 million currency swap to aid the country’s economy during the Covid-19 pandemic and a commitment to build 50,000 houses for those affected by the civil war. The two countries also participate in joint military and naval exercises and collaborate through regional groupings like BIMSTEC and SAARC.
Sri Lanka’s Support of India’s Policies
Sri Lanka has shown support for India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for all in the Region) initiative. In addition, India has extended a $400 million line of credit to assist in strengthening Sri Lanka’s infrastructure and economy, as well as an additional $50 million to combat terrorism.
This complex history and ongoing relationship between India and Sri Lanka illustrate the intricate interweaving of political, social, and economic factors shaping the lives of minority groups in Sri Lanka, particularly the Tamil population. It highlights the need for continued attention and effort towards improving minority rights and building robust diplomatic relations.