Srilanka has been home to violence for nearly 3 decades. Thousands have lost their lives fighting for their rights . The below is an outline of the ethnic conflict plaguing this small island nation.
Once a Portuguese and Dutch colony, Srilanka became a British colony in 1796. The British brought Hindu Tamil labourers to work on the tea and coffee plantations to Srilanka which was a Buddhist country inhabited largely by Sinhalese. Post independence in 1948, the Sinhalese singled out the Tamils who in turn protested the discrimination meted out to them in terms of employment and educational opportunities. The Sinhalese justified this discrimination in lieu of the favoritism conferred by the British to them. In the elections that followed, the Sinhalese party won with a thumping majority and the Tamils were disenfranchised and deprived of citizenship. Tamils felt insecure in the democracy given their minority numbers and ethnic tensions mounted with anti Tamil violence spreading across the country. Small factions led by militant leaders started taking birth with LTTE leading the pack. Gradually LTTE emerged as the Tamil separationists force, fighting for a separate "elam" or a nation for the Tamil's in Srilanka. LTTE sponsored suicide killings in Sinhalese dominated areas and the military retaliated with armed campaigns in Tamil dominant areas. A bloody battle has been continuing for 25 years with no party ready to compromise.
The LTTE on its part has been largely successful in creating fear and insecurity in Srilanka by targeting leading political figures. In 1991, the LTTE assassinated the Indian Premier, Rajiv Gandhi for sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force to Srilanka to help the Sinhalese government maintain peace. This created a furore of sorts and the battle to eradicate LTTE was on. There ensued a long and bloody battle between the two parties. All along, the Tamils in India were sympathetic to the Srilankan Tamils, often helping them with funds and rations tacitly.
Since Mahendra Raja Pakse, a hard line right wing politician was elected, the army waged a prolonged and deadly battle against the LTTE and is currently on the verge of victory. The problem now is the safety of the civilian population. The war severely disturbed peace in Srilanka where civilian casualty stands at 100,000 people. The LTTE is even accused of training children as soldiers carrying guns and ammunition.
The problem here is simple. Struggle for equal opportunity. If only there is equal opportunity to one and all, if only people working hard can prosper, if only there is no discrimination based on caste, creed or ethnicity, there would not have been such a ghastly war. Generations of Srilankans lost their lives and lively hoods fighting for this cause. What is in store for their kith and kin is still unknown. Why? Obstinacy. Obstinacy on the part of the government and Tamils to reach a solution.
To any sane being, the solution is simple common sense. Stop violence, involve people, give equal opportunity to one and all. While the government helps those who cannot help them self. Why should the Sinhalese try to oppress the Tamils? Why should Tamils need a separate state? Why should chauvinism rule? Why should innocent people suffer? Those leading this war ought to hang their heads in shame. Long live Justice and peace!
Once a Portuguese and Dutch colony, Srilanka became a British colony in 1796. The British brought Hindu Tamil labourers to work on the tea and coffee plantations to Srilanka which was a Buddhist country inhabited largely by Sinhalese. Post independence in 1948, the Sinhalese singled out the Tamils who in turn protested the discrimination meted out to them in terms of employment and educational opportunities. The Sinhalese justified this discrimination in lieu of the favoritism conferred by the British to them. In the elections that followed, the Sinhalese party won with a thumping majority and the Tamils were disenfranchised and deprived of citizenship. Tamils felt insecure in the democracy given their minority numbers and ethnic tensions mounted with anti Tamil violence spreading across the country. Small factions led by militant leaders started taking birth with LTTE leading the pack. Gradually LTTE emerged as the Tamil separationists force, fighting for a separate "elam" or a nation for the Tamil's in Srilanka. LTTE sponsored suicide killings in Sinhalese dominated areas and the military retaliated with armed campaigns in Tamil dominant areas. A bloody battle has been continuing for 25 years with no party ready to compromise.
The LTTE on its part has been largely successful in creating fear and insecurity in Srilanka by targeting leading political figures. In 1991, the LTTE assassinated the Indian Premier, Rajiv Gandhi for sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force to Srilanka to help the Sinhalese government maintain peace. This created a furore of sorts and the battle to eradicate LTTE was on. There ensued a long and bloody battle between the two parties. All along, the Tamils in India were sympathetic to the Srilankan Tamils, often helping them with funds and rations tacitly.
Since Mahendra Raja Pakse, a hard line right wing politician was elected, the army waged a prolonged and deadly battle against the LTTE and is currently on the verge of victory. The problem now is the safety of the civilian population. The war severely disturbed peace in Srilanka where civilian casualty stands at 100,000 people. The LTTE is even accused of training children as soldiers carrying guns and ammunition.
The problem here is simple. Struggle for equal opportunity. If only there is equal opportunity to one and all, if only people working hard can prosper, if only there is no discrimination based on caste, creed or ethnicity, there would not have been such a ghastly war. Generations of Srilankans lost their lives and lively hoods fighting for this cause. What is in store for their kith and kin is still unknown. Why? Obstinacy. Obstinacy on the part of the government and Tamils to reach a solution.
To any sane being, the solution is simple common sense. Stop violence, involve people, give equal opportunity to one and all. While the government helps those who cannot help them self. Why should the Sinhalese try to oppress the Tamils? Why should Tamils need a separate state? Why should chauvinism rule? Why should innocent people suffer? Those leading this war ought to hang their heads in shame. Long live Justice and peace!
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