Q1. Read the given extract and answer the following questions.
Srilanka emerged as an independent country in 1948.The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of MAJORITARIAN measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956,an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only officials language, thus disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. All these government measures, coming one after the other, gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Srilankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture. They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests.
Answer the following MCQS by choosing the most appropriate options.
(a) When did Sri Lanka emerge as an independent country?
(a) 1945
(b) 1947
(c) 1948
(d) 1956
(b) Which of the following was not a provision of the Act of 1956 passed in Sri Lanka?
(a) Provincial autonomy was given to Tamil
(b) A new constitution stipulated that the state should protect and Foster Buddhism
(c) It reduces the possibility of conflicts between two social groups.
(d) None of these
(c) Which one of the following was not a demand of the Sri Lanka Tamils?
(a) Recognition of Tamils as an official language
(b) Regional autonomy
(c) Equality of opportunity in jobs
(d) Reservation of seats in Parliament
(D) Find out the country that has lost peace due to majoritarianism form the following option.
(a) Belgium
(b) Sri Lanka
(c) India
(d) Pakistan
Answers
Answers:
a) Srilanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. Srilanka gained Independence from Bristish on 4th February, 1948.
b) Both the a and c were not the provisions of the act of 1956 passed in Sri Lanka.
c) Reservation of seats in Parliament
d) Sri Lanka lost the peace due to Majoritarianism.
Some important points realted to the Sri Lankan issue:
• After gaining Independence, Srilanka adopted Majoritarianism.
• According Majoritarianism, a particular ethnic group or linguistic group dominate the other groups.
• In Srilanka, the Sinhalese community dominated the Tamil community.
• The newly framed constitution increased the feeling of alienation.
• Thus, the Tamils in Srilanka demanded equal opportunities, to recognize Tamil as an official language, regional autonomy etc.
• This also led to the rise of civil war in Srilanka which led to killings of many innocent people.
A) c
- Srilanka emerged as an independent country in 1948
B) b
- Provincial autonomy was given to Tamil.
C) d
- Reservation of seats in Parliament
D) b
- Sri lanka has lost peace due to majoritarianism form the following option.