Sri Lanka has retained democracy since its independence in 1948. But it faced a serious challenge, not from the military or monarchy, but rather from ethnic conflict leading to the demand for secession by one of the regions.
After its independence, politics in Sri Lanka (it was then known as Ceylon) was dominated by forces that represented the interests of the majority Sinhala community. They were hostile to a large number of Tamils who had migrated from India to Sri Lanka and settled there. This migration continued even after independence. The Sinhala nationalists thought that Sri Lanka should not give 'concessions' to the Tamils because Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhala people only. The neglect of Tamil concerns led to militant Tamil nationalism. From 1983 onward, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was fighting an armed struggle with the army of Sri Lanka in pursuit of their demand for a "Tamil Elam" or separate country for the Tamilians of Sri Lanka. At one point in time, the northeastern part of Sri Lanka was controlled by the LTTE.
The government of India has from time to time tried to negotiate with the Sri Lankan government on the Tamil question. But in 1987, the government of India for the first time got directly involved in the Sri Lankan Tamil question. India signed an accord with Sri Lanka and sent troops to stabilize relations between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamils. Eventually, the Indian Army got into a fight with the LTTE. The presence of Indian troops was also not liked much by the Sri Lankans. They saw this as an attempt by India to interfere in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. In 1989, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) pulled out of Sri Lanka without attaining its objective.
Understanding the Sri Lankan Tamil Demand
The provided text discusses the complex political landscape of Sri Lanka following its independence in 1948, focusing on the ethnic conflict between the majority Sinhala community and the Tamil minority. It highlights how political power was initially concentrated among forces representing Sinhala interests, leading to tensions.
A key aspect explained is the historical context where Sinhala nationalism viewed Sri Lanka as solely belonging to the Sinhala people. This perspective often meant that the concerns and rights of the Tamil population, including those who migrated from India, were neglected. This neglect became a significant catalyst for the rise of militant Tamil nationalism.
Explaining the Core Tamil Demand
The text clearly outlines the consequence of this neglect: the emergence of militant groups fighting for specific political objectives. Prominently featured is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which since 1983, has been involved in an armed struggle.
The central aim of this struggle, and therefore the primary demand of the Tamilians advocating for separation, is explicitly stated in the passage.
According to the text, the demand was:
- "Tamil Eelam" or a separate country for the Tamilians of Sri Lanka.
Analyzing Other Options
Let's consider why the other options are not the primary demand mentioned:
- Right to Vote: While essential for political participation, the conflict described goes beyond just securing voting rights. It addresses a fundamental issue of national identity and self-determination.
- Right to contest in general elections: Similar to the right to vote, this relates to political inclusion but does not capture the aspiration for a separate statehood.
- Establishment of Democracy: Sri Lanka had already established a democratic system post-independence. The conflict was about minority rights and representation within this democratic framework, not about establishing democracy itself.
The text emphasizes that the pursuit of "Tamil Eelam" was the goal of the armed struggle initiated by groups like the LTTE, driven by the perceived marginalization of the Tamil community.
Important Questions from South Asia and the Contemporary World
SAFTA stands for:
Match List I with List II.
List-I List-II A. India-Pakistan I. LTTE B. India-Bangladesh II. Brahmaputra River C. India-Sri Lanka III. ASEAN D. Act East Policy IV. Tashkent Agreement Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which one of the following was the first country to liberalize its economy in the South Asian region?
In 1972, Shimla Agreement was signed by:
Rajiv Gandhi-Longowal Accord was signed in:
