Cleavages and consensus are simultaneously present in all societies at all times. Though the civilized men have condemned conflict throughout the ages, yet we have not been able to avoid the conflicts. The armed struggle in Sri Lanka is a story of one of such conflicts. Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural polity. It is a country of 22 million people. The population of Sinhalese constitutes 18 million and that of Tamils 4 million. Sinhalese are concentrated in the central, western and southern provinces of the island. They are mostly Buddhist and follow a culture rooted in Buddhism. Tamils form the second largest community and are divided into Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils.
The main causes of ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka are the denial of fair share in power, demographic aggression by another rival community backed by the central state and use of state coercion etc. The language conflict flared up in the 1950 became a springboard for ethnic conflict. In 1956 Sinhala Only Act was passed which recognized Sinhalese as the only official language of the country. Before late 1960 Tamils enjoyed a share higher than their population ratio in all sectors.
But after the imposition of Sinhala Only Act because of the lack of efficiency in Sinhala language they were automatically excluded from the services. So the economic grievances of the Tamils also played a role in sharpening this ethnic conflict. Tamils felt discriminated against Sinhalese in all sectors. This economic alienation of the Tamils was deepened by the major economic projects which were located only in Sinhalese dominated areas and benefited mainly the Sinhalese population.
The issue of power sharing also became a factor in this conflict. Sinhalese, who were in majority, wanted unitary system in the country while the Tamils were in favour of federal form of government. The Tamils wanted autonomy in predominantly dominated Tamil areas. Two attempts were made in 1957 and 1968 to reach an agreement on this point but all efforts failed because of Sinhalese stubbornness. From 1983 to 1987 there was a phase of violent conflict between the Tamils and Sinhalese dominated government, which resulted in the killings of almost 8000 people. In 1987 Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) went to Sri Lanka in order to disarm the Tamils but was withdrawn in 1990. This abortive effort brought death to almost 1200 Indian soldiers. From 1990 to 1995 there was another conflict in which more than 19000 people were bumped off.
In order to take revenge for Indian involvement in Sri Lanka these Tamil Tigers killed Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi on May 21, 1991 in a suicide attack. Later they killed serving president of Sri Lanka, Premasada, on May 1, 1993. On December 18, 1999 they assassinated another President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kuma.
LTTE has emerged as a very formidable force within a very limited period of time. It is a well-organized and well-disciplined outfit. Before the 1983 LTTE had only 33 members which grew to 1500 to 2500 hardcore members in 1985 to 1986 to 6000 in 1992 and to 15000 in 1995.
There were various factors which caused this rapid recruitment e.g., insecurity caused by riots, security forces actions and mass displacement of civilians in 1996. The role of women in the struggle of LTTE has remained very important throughout the last three decades. Almost 28 per cent of LTTE casualties are of women. Its members usually carry cyanide capsules around their neck with a standard LTTE order to swallow if their capture is imminent. Since the withdrawal of Indian forces from Sri Lanka in 1990, Norway has stepped in to mediate outstanding issues between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government. Norway has no biased opinion or any ulterior motive in this conflict.
The only motive one might attribute to it is the honour of being a successful mediator in international politics. There were six rounds of talks between LTTE and Sri Lankan government. The most important achievement of these six rounds of talks was Oslo agreement on federal solution of the Tamil problems. However after seven months of talks, the LTTE suspended the talks on April 21, 2003.
In 2002, a ceasefire was agreed which lasted till the end of last year. Then the Sri Lankan government decided to finish off the Tigers. Since then an operation was going on against LTTE in which army had notched great successes. LTTE was restricted to an area of 3.5 square mile coastal strip. However on May 17, the Tamil Tigers conceded defeat after 30-years old war as they decided to silence their guns.
The LTTE leader Prabakharan has committed suicide along with some of his close aides. Eqbal Ahmed said The struggles for justice and peace may be protracted but they are rarely lost. This is a very critical moment in the history of Sri Lanka where its government really has to take some sagacious steps. Instead of repeating the old mistake its government should concede the demands of these Tamil Tigers and try to integrate them in the main political step.
Individuals quarrel and then make it up. Wars are fought but again treaties are signed for the establishment of peace. Nietzsche, a famous philosopher, said that values can also originate from their opposites. Peace is inherent in the very nature of conflict, yet great mistakes too are always committed on the marrow of great victories. Any small mistake on the part of Sri Lankan government may lead the country towards another conflict in the decades to come.
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