The recent tour of newly elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to India from 28th to 30th November 2019 has brought the spotlight back onto Sri Lanka’s long history of civil unrest and the evolving relationship between India and Sri Lanka. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, known for his significant role in ending Sri Lanka’s civil war, now shares the helm with his brothers, Mahinda Rajapaksha and Chamal Rajapaksha, serving as the Prime Minister and Agricultural Minister respectively.
Understanding Sri Lanka’s Civil War
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, gained independence from British rule in 1948 and has since been embroiled in ethnic conflict. The Sinhalese majority, which dominated government after independence, passed laws that marginalized the Hindu Tamil community, especially those who had been brought to the island by the British.
In 1972, the Sinhalese-led government renamed the country from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, declaring Buddhism as the state religion. This fuelled ethnic tension leading to the formation of the LTTE – Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam under Velupillai Prabhakaran’s leadership. The LTTE campaigned for a Tamil homeland in northern and eastern Sri Lanka where the majority of the island’s Tamils reside.
The conflict between the government and the LTTE extended for nearly three decades, making it one of Asia’s longest-running civil wars. It ended in 2009 when LTTE was finally defeated.
Key Discussions during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Visit
During his visit to India, key issues discussed included strengthening of trade ties, boosting maritime security, addressing fishermen’s concerns, fulfilling the aspirations of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and combating terrorism.
India extended a $400 million line of credit to help strengthen Sri Lanka’s infrastructure and economy, and an additional $50 million to combat terrorism. The Sri Lankan President also invited the Indian Prime Minister for a visit at a mutually convenient time.
India – Sri Lanka Relations: A Brief Overview
Sri Lanka is India’s closest neighbor, and their relationship dates back over 2,500 years, rooted in intellectual, cultural, religious, and linguistic exchanges. Throughout the civil war, India supported the right of the Sri Lankan Government to act against terrorist forces.
The Indian Housing Project is a flagship initiative by the Indian government to provide developmental assistance to Sri Lanka. It is primarily focused on building 50,000 houses for those affected by the civil war and the plantation workers.
Given the close proximity of both countries’ territorial waters, particularly in the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar, incidents of fishermen straying are common. To address this, both countries have agreed on certain practical arrangements.
Furthermore, India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (‘Mitra Shakti’) and Naval exercises (SLINEX). Recently, the flight service between Chennai (India) and Jaffna (Sri Lanka) resumed after a suspension of 41 years due to the civil war.
| Key Discussions during Visit | Support Provided by India | Joint Efforts |
|---|---|---|
| Strengthening trade ties | $400 million line of credit | Joint military and naval exercises |
| Boosting maritime security | $50 million support to combat terrorism | Practical arrangements for straying fishermen |
| Addressing concerns of the fishermen | Indian Housing Project | Resumption of Chennai-Jaffna flight service |
The road ahead for India-Sri Lanka relations
The visit of the new Sri Lankan President to India and the discussions held underline the eagerness of both nations to strengthen their ties. Their historical, cultural bond and shared interests in regional security prompt a gradual deepening of their relationship.
