Question

explain the majoritarialism in Sri lanka for 3 marks​

Answer 1

ANSWER :

SRI - LANKA  :

• Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948.

• Sri lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometers off the southern coast of Tamil Nadu.

• It has about 2 crore people, about the same as state of Haryana, India.

• Like other nations in the South Asia region, Sri Lanka has a diverse population.

• The major social groups are the Sinhala speakers 74 percent , and Tamil speakers 18 percent.

• Among Tamils there are 2 sub groups.

• Tamil Natives of the country called " Sri Lankan Tamils " 13 percent.

• The rest , whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period, are called " Indian Tamils ".

MAJORITARIANISM IN SRI LANKA :

What is  majoritarianism ?

→ A Belief that the majority community rules the country in its own way by disregarding the wishes and the needs of the minority.

• Democratically elected Government.

     ( Sinhala community dominated the ministry )

• Adopted a series of Majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy : 1956 Act, recognized Sinhala as the only language.

• Favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and Government jobs.

• Constitution - to protect and foster Buddhism.

• Several political organisations were formed in 1980s, demanding an independent Tamil Eelam ( state ) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka . The distrust between the Sinhala and Tamil communities turned into widespread conflict, leading to a Civil war.

RESULTS :

• Increased the feeling of distrust among the Sri Lankan Tamils, CIVIL WAR STARTED.

• Constitution and the government ignored their interests - denied equal political rights.

• Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and demand Tamil state , Tamil as a official language, regional autonomy , equality in securing educations and jobs.