Question

Describe the population composition of Sri

Lanka and the reasons for the formation of

majoritarian government in 1948.​

Answer 1

Composition of Srilankan population

• Sinhala speakers - 74%
• Tamil speakers - 18 %

Tamil population

• Indian Tamils (plantation workers of colonial period)
• Srilankan native Tamils

Religious composition

• Most of the Sinhala speakers - Buddhist
• Most of the Tamil speakers - Hindus or Muslims
• Both Tamil & Sinhala - Christians [ 7% ]

Majoritarianism in Srilanka

• Emerged as an independent country in 1948.
• Sinhala community secured dominance over government.
• 1956 : Sinhala became the official language.
• University positions and Government jobs favoured Sinhala applicants.
• State shall protect and foster Buddhism

Demands of Srilankan Tamils

• For the recognition of Tamil as an official language.
• For the regional autonomy
• For equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.
• But their demands were denied and they started feeling alienated.

---> The relations of Sinhalas & Tamils strained over time and ended with the civil war.

---> 1000 were killed and many became refugees.

---> It caused a terrible setback to the Srilankan economy.

Hope it helps.

(P.S : A kind request, please drop some thanks for some of my answers.)