Question

"The law enacted in 1956 and other Constitutional Provisions led to major conflict between the two communities in Sri Lanka." Support the statement.

Hint:

The 1956 law in Sri Lanka laid the foundation for ethnic conflict, highlighting the dangers of neglecting minority rights and the importance of inclusive policies.

Answer 1

The 1956 law and subsequent constitutional provisions in Sri Lanka were significant in creating tensions between the Sinhala and Tamil communities.
- The 1956 Sinhala Only Act: This Act made Sinhala the only official language of Sri Lanka, ignoring Tamil, which led to the marginalization of the Tamil-speaking population.
- Discrimination in Employment and Education: Tamils were denied opportunities in government jobs and education due to the dominance of Sinhala as the official language. This caused resentment among Tamils, leading to widespread protests and unrest.
- Lack of Political Representation for Tamils: The Tamils felt politically excluded, and their demands for equal rights and recognition were not addressed, contributing to ethnic tensions and conflict.