Power Sharing in Sri Lanka


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Power Sharing in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is just a few kilometers off the Southern coast of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka has a diverse population of about two crore people with 74% being Sinhalese and 18% Tamils.

Sub-groups of Tamils: Tamils have two sub-groups

  • Sri Lankan Tamils: Tamil natives of Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankan Tamils, they constitute 13% of the population and are concentrated in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Most of Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhist, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims.
  • Indian Tamils: The Tamilians whose came forefathers from India as plantation worker during colonial rule and settled in Sri Lanka Indian Tamils. They constitute 5% of the population .  There are about 7% Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.
  • Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka: Majoritarianism is a concept which signifies a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority. Sri Lanka emerged as an independent 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community to secure dominance over government by their majority.

    As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measure Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an act was passed recognize Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.

  • The government followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
  • A new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and promote Buddhism.
  • All these government measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.
  • They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture. The relation between Sinhala and Tamil communities became strained over  time.
  • Stipulate : To state clearly and firmly that something must be done or how it must be done . 

    Civil war : A violent conflict between opposing groups with in a country that become so intense that it appears like a war.

    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    'Sinhali and Tamil' languages are main languages of which Country ?

    Right Option : C
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    Explanation
     
     


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