Written by Gauravi Bhajanka
Research Intern,
Jindal Centre for the Global South,
O.P. Jindal Global University, India
A majoritarian system is one in which the majority group has significant authority, frequently to the expense of minority groups. Majoritarianism is a dominating principle in many democracies. Its issues can appear in a variety of ways, such as institutional prejudice, marginalization, and violence towards minority populations. With a history characterized by ethnic violence and political disparities between majorities and minorities, the island nation of Sri Lanka in South Asia provides a worrying illustration of these issues.
Majoritarian issues in Sri Lanka have their roots in the country’s early history and later colonial domination. Portuguese, Dutch, and British conquerors had a significant impact on the island and frequently benefited from ethnic differences, which led to a split post-independence state (DeVotta, 2004).
Ceylon, formerly known as Sri Lanka, became a Sinhalese-Buddhist state after gaining independence in 1948. Around 75% of the population, the majority Sinhalese Buddhists, consolidated their political dominance, frequently at the expense of the minority Muslim and Tamil populations (DeVotta, 2004). The passing of the Ceylon Citizenship Act in 1948 was one of the early examples of majoritarian issues. By denying them citizenship, this act deprived Indian Tamils—mostly plantation laborers who had been brought over under British rule—of their rights (Kearney, 1967). This catalyzed the Tamil community’s widespread marginalization and discriminatory employment practices, which persisted for decades.
The marginalization of the Tamil community was further exacerbated by the Sinhala Only Act of 1956, which made Sinhala the sole official language of Sri Lanka, disregarding the linguistic rights of Tamil-speaking citizens. This discriminatory policy not only limited employment opportunities for Tamils but also hindered their access to education and government services, deepening their sense of exclusion and inequality within society.
The sizable minority of Muslims in Sri Lanka has also experienced prejudice. By designating the Parliament as a “Buddhist” organization in 1981, a parliamentary measure effectively prohibited Muslims from holding public office (Nubin, 2002). A serious problem has been anti-Muslim violence, which has resulted in several riots, notably the tragic Aluthgama riots in 2014 (Holt, 2016). Late in the 1970s, in reaction to continued state-sponsored brutality against Tamils, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were formed. This catalyzed the deadly Eelam War, which raged for over three decades (Wilson, 2000).
During the battle, there were several instances of rape, enforced disappearances, and mass executions. The latter few months of the war were especially violent, with claims of widespread atrocities carried out by the government against the Tamil population (Weiss, 2011). These atrocities further fuelled international concern and calls for accountability. The United Nations estimated that tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the final months of the war, prompting demands for an independent investigation into war crimes and human rights abuses.
Developing nations, many of which are found in the southern hemisphere, are typically referred to as being in the “Global South.” Poverty, corruption, and concerns with human rights are among the problems these countries frequently face. Sri Lanka’s majoritarian concerns, shared by other countries in the Global South, are echoed in the calls for justice and accountability. The international community must step up and support the demands for an independent investigation into the war crimes committed during the final months of the war. Addressing these human rights abuses is crucial, as is ensuring those responsible are held accountable. The experiences of Sri Lanka serve as a reminder of the urgent need for collective action and solidarity among nations in the Global South to address the widespread issues that plague them and work towards a more just and equitable world.
Sri Lanka’s connections with the Global South are impacted in various ways by its majoritarian issues. One way to see it is that these nations have grown closer due to their shared experience with colonialism and its problems. However, the Sri Lankan government’s treatment of its Muslim and Tamil minority has also drawn criticism and caused rifts in its relations with other countries, notably India and other Muslim-majority countries.
Interventions and responses from abroad have been diverse. The Eelam War and other instances of Sri Lankan behaviour have drawn criticism from the UN and Western countries generally. As part of larger geopolitical agendas, several countries from the Global South, most notably China, have supported the Sri Lankan government, according to Hesengerth (2020).
The efforts to restore peace in Sri Lanka after the civil war have been difficult and complicated. The state’s attempts to resolve the underlying majoritarian issues have mostly fallen short, even though the conflict was formally over in 2009. According to Wickramage (2018), there are still ethnic conflicts and prejudices between Muslims and Tamils. These ongoing ethnic conflicts and prejudices between Muslims and Tamils highlight the deep-rooted divisions within Sri Lankan society. Despite international efforts and support, the government’s inability to address these underlying issues has hindered the country’s progress towards lasting peace and reconciliation.
Political and social movements play a crucial role in challenging the existing quo. Recently, several movements have grown, promoting the rights of minorities and bringing attention to persistent problems. The state’s persecution of these movements, however, as well as other difficulties, are common.
To sum up, the majoritarian issues in Sri Lanka, which have their roots in old ethnic conflicts, have had a significant impact on the country’s minorities, mainly the Muslim and Tamil populations. These issues have influenced Sri Lanka’s development as a country, from the systematic deprivation of the rights of Indian Tamils to the Eelam War. The discrimination faced by minorities in Sri Lanka has hindered their socio-economic progress and political representation. This further deepened the divide between ethnic groups and hindered national unity. Additionally, the lack of reconciliation efforts and accountability for past atrocities has perpetuated a cycle of tension and mistrust among communities.
It is not simply a domestic issue that has to be resolved by these majoritarian issues. Sri Lanka’s experiences are relatable to other countries facing comparable difficulties since it is a member of the Global South. This demonstrates how crucial global cooperation and assistance are in resolving these problems.
The global community, in particular the countries of the Global South, has a significant role to play. They may aid in creating an atmosphere that fosters equality, justice, and peace by being aware of the realities of majoritarian issues in Sri Lanka. By understanding and addressing the majoritarian issues in Sri Lanka, countries of the Global South can work towards implementing inclusive policies and promoting social harmony within their societies. Additionally, sharing best practices and lessons learned from Sri Lanka’s experiences can contribute to a collective effort to find practical solutions to similar challenges faced by other nations in the Global South.
References
DeVotta, N. (2004). Blowback: Linguistic nationalism, institutional decay, and ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Stanford University Press.
Hensengerth, O. (2020). Chinese conflict resolution and the South China Sea dispute: the win-win solution. Routledge.
Holt, J. (2016). The Buddhist-Muslim crisis in Sri Lanka: Reimagining South Asia’s complex religious identities. The Journal of Asian Studies, 75(4), 917-941.
Kearney, R. (1967). The politics of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Cornell University Press.
Nubin, W. (2002). Sri Lanka: Current issues and historical background. Nova Publishers.
Weiss, G. (2011). The cage: The fight for Sri Lanka and the last days of the Tamil Tigers. Random House.
Wickramage, K. (2018). Forced migration of ethnic communities from Jaffna to Colombo. International Migration, 56(5), 5-20.
Wilson, A. (2000). Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism: Its origins and development in the 19th and 20th centuries. UBC Press.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author (s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Jindal Centre for the Global South or its members.
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