International Success and Domestic Failure: The World’s First Female Prime Minister and the Changing of Sri Lanka’s Official Language

Tamil Separatist Movement

“A Sinhalese Mob Beats a Tamil passenger After Pulling Him Out of His Car.” Tamil Guardian. July, 1956.

During British rule, Tamils were able to rise to an elite class, making up 60% of military and police. After Sri Lanka’s independence, the Sinhalese majority, no longer hindered by the British, quickly, and sometimes violently, pushed Tamils aside to claim the country.

“Nobody sees our problem. We are just a few Sinhalese, but the Tamils are millions, here and in South India. They can go to India, where there are so many Tamils. They can go all over the world. Who will take me, a Sinhalese? I must live and die on this island! . . . Does no one see that for us, the Sinhalese Buddhists, it is a problem of survival? It is the perishing of a race. . . . If we wanted to, we could wipe out the Tamils in an hour or two. But we haven’t done that, because we are Buddhists.” - Bobby Wickremasinghe, Deputy Minister for Prisons

“Tamil Protestors in Colombo, 1956, Shortly Before They Were Attacked by Sinhala Mobs.” Tamil Guardian. June, 1956.

“Tamil Protestors in Colombo, 1956, Being Attacked By a Sinhala Mob Led By Sri Lankan Lawmakers.” Tamil Guardian. June, 1956.

“Tamil ‘Satyagraha’.” Dbsjeyaraj.com. 1961.

“A Sinhalese Mob Beats a Tamil passenger After Pulling Him Out of His Car.” Tamil Guardian. July, 1956.

In the midst of the nation’s general dissatisfaction, Bandaranaike and her late husband’s Sinhala Only policy led to a cascade of unrest and riots, causing some Tamils to want to secede and form their own state which they would call Eelam. Tamils created organizations, the largest being the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who believed their only voice was violence.

“LTTE Leaders Training at Sirumalai Camp in India in 1984." The Strategy Bridge. 1984.

July 23rd, 1983 marked the beginning of Black July, in which Sinhalese mobs were allowed to locate and attack innocent Tamils, regardless of affiliation with the LTTE. This was the start of the Sri Lankan civil war.

Black July Riots

“Sinhala Rioters Celebrate as They Pause in the Destruction of Homes and Businesses in Tamil Sectors of Colombo." Tamil Guardian. July, 1983 .

"Sinhala Rioters Celebrate as They Pause in the Destruction of Homes and Businesses in Tamil Sectors of Colombo." Tamil Guardian. July, 1983.

“Sinhala Rioters Halt a Minibus Searching for Tamils.” Tamil Guardian. July, 1983.

Dissatisfaction Abuse of Power