Question

Describe majoritarian measures adopted by sri lankan government.How did the minority react to it

Answer 1

majoritarian is a belief that the majority community runs the country. They get better education and job facilities . In Sri Lanka the sinhala community was the majority community.The Tamil community wanted to recognise Tamil also an official language and wanted a different Tamil ellem ( state). But it was not accepted and a civil war started killing thousands of people of both the community.

Answer 2

Answer:

Ans. i. The majoritarian measures taken in Sri Lanka to establish Sinhala supremacy were:

1) In 1956, an act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.

2) University positions and government jobs, favoured Sinhala applicants.

3) A new constitution was stipulated to protect and spread Buddhism.

4) The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture and denied them equal political rights which led to increased feeling of alienation among them.

ii. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.

But their demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils was repeatedly denied.

By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a CIVIL WAR.