Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Causesandconsequencesofsrilankaandnorthernirelandconflict 090925031217 Phpapp02
Causesandconsequencesofsrilankaandnorthernirelandconflict 090925031217 Phpapp02
Chapter 4 (Conflict between Multi-Ethnic Societies: Case Studies of Sri Lanka / Northern Ireland)
Description
Since the Ceylon Citizenship Act of 1948, the Sri Lankan government granted citizenship to only those who themselves or parents were born in Sri Lanka. This caused 1 million Tamils to be stateless as they did not gain citizenship. This policy was enacted in 1956 making Sinhala the official language. Affects only civil servants they have to learn Sinhala within 3 years or be dismissed. 3.
Explanation
As a result, the Tamils could not vote for their representatives and their needs and concerns were neglected by the government. Although India stepped in and help some Indian Tamils return to India, about 100, 000 Indian Tamils remained stateless. Tamils were dissatisfied as despite their contribution to economy, they were not granted Citizenship. Feeling neglected by the government, the resentment against the government grew, leading to the conflict. Caused many Tamil civil servants to lose their jobs as they were not proficient in Sinhala. In addition, this unfair policy made it difficult for Tamils to secure jobs or be promoted. The Tamils found out that peaceful means did not work, thus thinking that they were discriminated against, causing them to resort to violence. Aggravated relations between Tamils and Sinhalese, resulting in the conflict. This caused Tamil youths to be deprived of university education and made them resent the Sri Lankan government as they felt that the government was biased against them and deprived them of good job opportunities. The Tamils hated the Sinhalese as they felt that the Sinhalese took away their chances for university. Caused tensions between Sinhalese and Tamils to be intensified, leading to the conflict. Caused frustration among Tamils as they had to compete with the Sinhalese for lands. Increased chances of racial conflict due to hostility between Sinhalese and Tamils Tamils also lost dominance and political power in those areas. Caused the Tamils to resent the government, leading to the conflict.
4. 5. 6. 3. 4. 5.
2.
1.
2.
6. 1. The new university admission criteria introduced in 1970 required Tamil Youths to score higher marks than Sinhalese to enter a university. Affected only students trying to get into university. In 1950, the Sri Lankan government transferred Sinhalese peasants and the Sri Lankan Army to areas densely populated by Tamils. 3.
4. 5. 2. 3. 4. 5.
2.
1.
Factor
1. 2. 1.Lack of opportunities for Social Interaction
Explanation
3.
4. Divided Loyalties
The Protestants were given higher priorities in seeking public housing whereas some catholic families which were bigger and had a more urgent need for the house had to wait for a long time before they could get a house. 1. The Catholics found it harder to find jobs, compared to the Protestants even if they were as academically qualified as priority was given to the Protestants. 2. Therefore, many Catholics were usually employed for unskilled and low-paying jobs compared to the Protestants, which were employed for higher-paid areas like the civil service. 3. In addition, many Protestant-controlled government institutions and private companies preferred to have Protestants than Catholics. Promotion was also based on religious grounds. According to statistics, only 6% of males and 4% of females in the Protestant religion was unemployed whereas 10% of males and more than 6% of females were unemployed Catholics. 1. Many Protestants see themselves as British and The loyalty to different countries and the difference in wanted to see the country remain as part of the political beliefs caused the Protestants and the United Kingdom. They did not want a union with Catholics to be intolerant and found it difficult to get the Republic of Ireland as the Catholic along with each other, creating conflict between the 2 religions. government may not be tolerant of their Protestant beliefs. 2. On the other hand, many Catholics see themselves as Irish and wanted to be reunited with the Republic of Ireland. In addition, they resent the history of English conquest where Catholics were treated harshly. According to statistics, over 80% of the Protestants and about 30% of the Catholics wanted to remain part of United Kingdom whereas less than 5% of the Protestants and more than 40% of the Catholics wanted to reunify with the rest of Ireland during surveys conducted in the 90s. 1. At that time, only those who owned houses and 4. As many companies are owned by the richer businesses were entitled to vote in the local Protestants, they had more votes and were thus government elections. unfair to the poorer Catholic population. 2. Every household was entitled to more votes and 5. Catholics also had no voting districts near them, votes given to companies depended on their size. thus decided to protest against the voting 3. In addition, voting districts were drawn up to system, causing greater tensions between the include a larger proportion of Protestants rather Protestants and the Catholics, leading to the than the Catholics. conflict.
There was disharmony as the education system provided fewer opportunities for social interaction in schools between the different religious groups. 5. In addition, as the Catholics and Protestants lived in different areas, it makes it more difficult for social interaction between the Catholics and the Protestants. 6. Thus, with little opportunities for social interaction, relations between them grew tense, leading to the conflict. As public housing becomes more readily available, the Catholics feel discriminated against due to unfair housing policies. Frustrated with the shortage of houses, tensions between the Catholics and Protestants grew, culminating the conflict. 4. As it was harder for the Catholics to find jobs compared to the Protestants, the Catholics thus felt discriminated against the Protestants. 5. In addition, as most of the positions in civil service are Protestants, this showed that the Protestants wanted to discriminate the Catholics and give higher priorities to the Protestants, causing tensions between the Catholics and Protestants to worsen, causing the conflict.
Social
Economic
Political
Conclusion
Declining Economy
8.
Political Reform
A declining economy and its resulting lowering of standards of living for Catholics and Protestants deepens the hatred both parties have for each other as they blame one another for the economic problems in the country. 12. While the political reforms initially generated were good and looked towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, problems created between the two groups resulted in the political reforms only having limited success.