SRI LANKA'S TAMIL IDENTITY CRISIS AND THE ROLE OF THE SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT

Abstract

Sri Lanka secured independence from the British suzerainty a year after Pakistan-India freedom in 1947. There are two main ethnic groups in Sri Lanka called Sinhalese and Tamil. The relationship between the two main groups has been fragile since liberation. The British managed Sinhalese and Tamil relationship to maintain their dominance, but soon their departure, clashes broke out between the two groups. Three factors created cleavages between the two groups which profoundly dented Sri Lanka's unity: language, ethnicity, and non-permanent residential status. Many Tamil households were displaced and lived as refugees in other areas and countries. Historical records suggest that Tamils have been native to Sri Lanka for centuries. Therefore, the central objective of the study is to evaluate the challenges faced by Tamils including regional autonomy and post British Raj identity. Furthermore, the aim is to examine the role of Sri Lankan government in solving issues of Tamil community.