Describe the factors that were responsible for the Civil War in Sri Lanka.

By Ruchika|Updated : June 1st, 2023

There were many factors that were responsible for the Civil War in Sri Lanka. The major cause that led to the civil war in Sri Lanka is the conflict between Tamil and Sinhalese communities. There were ethnic and political conflicts that led to tension between the two communities. As Sinhalese were in the majority, there was an increasing sense of alienation in the Tamil community due to the lack of representation. There was a great district between the two which is known as the major factor responsible for the civil war in Sri Lanka.

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Factors Responsible for the Civil War in Sri Lanka

The major factors that were responsible for the Civil War in Sri Lanka has to do with the conflict between Sinhalese and Tamil communities. The majoritarian policies of Sinhalese communities led to a feeling of alienation among Tamils. As Buddhism was declared protected by the constitution, Tamils felt sidelined and discriminated against. There was also a lack of opportunities for them.

As this feeling of inequality grew so did the agitation in the Tamil community. Over time, they organized themselves and launched various political protests. They fought to give Tamil the status of an official language and their people equal opportunities in jobs and education. As these demands were not met by the government, it ultimately led to the civil war in Sri Lanka. It caused the loss of lives and property in both communities.

Causes that Led to Civil War in Sri Lanka

There are three major causes that were responsible for the civil war in Sri Lanka. Refer to the points below to understand them better.

  1. History of Conflict - The Tamil and Sinhalese communities always had s history of tension between them. As a majority, the Sinhalese community was said to have always suppressed the Tamil community. On the other hand, the Tamil community was seen as a threat to the sovereignty of the state by the Sinhalese.
  2. Political Inequality - There was a huge inequality in the representation of Sinhalese and Tamil in the Sri Lankan government. Sinhalese government failed to provide the Tamil community with equal opportunities. Their policies only agitated the public and led to further inequality ultimately leading to a war.
  3. Ethnic Conflict - As the Tamil community was a minority, their language, and religion were not given importance. This led to many people feeling marginalized. Sinhalese government's inability to incorporate Tamil language and culture became another reason for the civil war in Sri Lanka.

Summary:

Describe the factors that were responsible for the Civil War in Sri Lanka

The factors that were responsible for the civil war in Sri Lanka are many. However, they all are connected with the conflict between Tamil and Sinhalese communities. Apart from the historical tension between the two, there were also ethnic and political conflicts that led to the civil war in Sri Lanka. The civil war caused the loss of many lives in the country. 

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