What was the cause of turmoil in Sri Lanka?

1 Answer
May 24, 2016

Discrimination of the Tamil peoples in Sri Lanka became the key reason for the rise of turmoil.

Explanation:

During the British colonization, Tamil peoples from India moved to Sri Lanka to work in plantations. They quickly gained status, and were ranked high in the social pyramid, as compared to the native Sinhalese.

In the 1950s, Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain. This sparked a demand from the Sinhalese to question the rank of the Tamils. Acts like the " Sinhalese-Only Act ", began to allow the discrimination and routing of Tamil peoples.

In the 1960s-70s, the idea of Tamil Eelam, a separate nation in the north of Sri Lanka, became widespread among Tamils. While most Tamil people attempted to propose the idea peacefully, groups like the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), decided that the idea must be forced.

Thus, the fight between the Sri Lankans and the LTTE (along with its many affiliates) tore the small island nation apart in 25 years (and counting) of violent, terror-filled turmoil.