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- Majoritarianism is the idea that the majority group should have the freedom to govern a nation however it pleases, oblivious to the needs and desires of the minority.
- Sinhala supremacy was imposed as soon as Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.
Majoritarian Measures adopted to establish the Sinhala Supremacy
- Sinhalese was declared as the official language of the country by passing an Act in 1956- thus, clearly ignoring the Tamil linguistic group.
- Formulated preferential policy that favored Sinhala-speaking people in all government jobs and educational institutions.
- The new constitution affirmed the primacy of Sinhala and further promoted and safeguarded Buddhism.
Effect of the Measures-
- Feeling of alienation among Sri-Lankan Tamils as a result of repressive majoritarian measures.
- Tamils in Sri Lanka felt that the country's administration, which is dominated by the Sinhala language, discriminated against them in terms of employment possibilities and political rights.
- None of the political parties showed any r egard for their language and culture.
- Relations between Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time.
- The Tamils' repeated requests for more autonomy for the T amil-populated provinces were rejected.
- Several political organizations were established by the 1980s, calling for the creation of an i ndependent Tamil Eelam (state) in Sri Lanka's north and east.
- Widespread fighting resulting from the mistrust between the two communities continued, leading to a Civil War- Within a nation, a violent fight between opposing parties that intensifies to the point where it resembles a war.
