1

2

Peaceful Means Peaceful Means TAMILSTAMILS

Early 1950s : Federal Party asked that Tamil areas be recognised as a federation within the country

1976 : New political party TAMIL UNITED

LIBERATION FRONT asked for a separate independent state

Members believed only this sole option would ensure Tamil rights

Sinhalese government rejected this idea

ARMED CONFLICTARMED CONFLICT

3

Violent Means Violent Means TAMILSTAMILS Some angry Tamil

youths formed a militant group, the LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL EELAM [LTTE] , and resorted to violence

Popularly known as Tamil Tigers, they were considered terrorists

ARMED CONFLICTARMED CONFLICT

4

Violent Means Violent Means TAMILSTAMILS

Tamil Tigers attacked Tamil members of the

police force Tamil members and

supporters of the ruling party

Tamil politicians who did not support the proposed separate state

The Sinhalese

ARMED CONFLICTARMED CONFLICT

5

Violent Means Violent Means SINHALESESINHALESE

Sinhalese also showed hostility through violence

Anti-Tamil riots first in 1956, then 1958, 1971, 1977 and 1983

Many killed and injured Tamils forced to flee for their lives Unfortunately, such riots were encouraged

by the Sinhalese security forces such as the army

ARMED CONFLICTARMED CONFLICT

6

Violent MeansViolent Means 1983 riots – thousands fled to Tamil Nadu in

South India Indian government was forced to intervene

in the conflict in Sri Lanka Violence cost thousands of lives Leads to hatred and distrust Makes peaceful solutions almost an

impossibility A vicious cycle Children grow up with prejudices of their

racial or religious groups Remained hostile towards each other

throughout their lives

ARMED CONFLICTARMED CONFLICT

7

8

Women and children massacred by LTTE in Kotiyagala in Monaragala District in Sri Lanka, Dec 1995

Src : http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/parade/nm58/weli.htm

9

10

11

Those killed are usually breadwinners of families

Riots of 1983 caused massive unemployment Factory worked Self-employed Plantation workers

Many of the jobless were Sinhalese Vandalism, looting and burning places of

work such as garment factories

In a conflict, all parties suffer

UNEMPLOYMENTUNEMPLOYMENT

12

Businesses from other countries are needed for economic growth

Internal unrest drives away investors Sri Lanka – investments fell US$66m in 1982 US$39m in 1983 US$22m in 1986

LOSS OF FOREIGN LOSS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTSINVESTMENTS

13

Tourism – a major income earner for Sri Lanka

Serious affected by violent internal conflict

Tourist arrivals fell drastically after 1983 riots

Loss of jobs; fall in income Affects economy adversely Less funds for public projects like

transport and housing

FALL IN NUMBER OF FALL IN NUMBER OF TOURISTSTOURISTS

14

Internal conflicts may attract foreign intervention

How? Role of mediator vs direct involvement

In this case, INDIA 1983 : Mediator 1987 : Military force Jun 1987 : Flotilla and airdrops Jul 1987 : Sri Lanka, under pressure from

India, signed a peace accord with India

FOREIGN INTERVENTIONFOREIGN INTERVENTION

15

Oct 1987 : Indian troops took Jaffna by force Oct 1987 – Dec 1988 : Clashes between

Indian peacekeeping force and Tamil Tigers Mar 1990 : Indian peacekeeping force

withdrawn

FOREIGN INTERVENTIONFOREIGN INTERVENTION

16

Tension between Sinhalese and Tamils remained throughout 1990s

Hostilities still exist between Sinhalese government and Tamil Tigers

AFTERMATHAFTERMATH

17

achristchurchhistory production

Copyright reserved