1) What is majoritarianism?

• Majoritarianism is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.

2) Explain the three measures taken by Sri Lanka as per the Act passed in 1956.
Or
How was majoritarianism practiced in Sri Lanka?
Or
What were the reasons for the alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils? What were its effects?
Or
Which policies of the Sri Lankan government have led to the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils?
Or
Why do Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated?

Majoritarianism increased the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils. This is known on account of the following-

• In 1956, an Act was passed to make Sinhala the official language. This disregarded the Tamil Language.
• The democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy in Sri Lanka.
• The Sinhala-speaking people were given preference in university positions and government jobs.
• The Constitution provided for State protection and fostering of Buddhism.
• Hence, a demand for regional autonomy emerged as Sri Lankan Tamils felt secluded.

3)What were the effects of feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils? Or What factors led to the civil war in Sri Lanka?

The effects of the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils were as mentioned below :

• The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggled for the recognition of Tamil as an official language.
• They demanded regional autonomy.
• They also demanded equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.
• Their demand for regional autonomy was repeatedly denied.
• By the 1980s several political organizations were formed and they demanded an s independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
• The distrust and alienation turned into a widespread conflict between the two communities. It soon turned into a civil war.
• In the civil war, thousands of people of both communities were killed. Many
• families were forced to leave the country as refugees. Many lost their livelihoods. Thus although Sri Lanka had an excellent record of economic development, education, and health, but the civil war has caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural, and economic life of the country.

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