Der Konflikt in Sri Lanka - ein unentrinnbarer Teufelskreis?

In: Die Friedens-Warte: Journal of International Peace and Organization, Band 73, Heft 4, S. 483-496

Abstract

The conflict between the Tamils & Sinhalese in Sri Lanka has its roots in myth & history. Under British rule the minorities were given a privileged position in some departments of the civil service. The Sinhalese majority came to perceive this as a conscious policy in favor of the minorities & tried to rectify this alleged wrong. Political & administrative reforms under the British gave a new, politically loaded meaning to the age-old cultural & linguistic differences or prejudices. After independence discriminating political measures & sometimes physical assaults drove the Tamils to protests & finally violent struggle for independence. The prospects of a solution appear dim, since each side thoroughly distrusts the statements & offers of the other. Adapted from the source document.