Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka - Concepts - Chapter 1 Class 10 Political Science - Power Sharing - Political Science

• Majoritarianism is the idea that the majority group should have the freedom to govern a nation however it pleases, oblivious to the needs and desires of the minority.
• Sinhala supremacy was imposed as soon as Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.

Majoritarian Measures adopted to establish the Sinhala Supremacy

• Sinhalese was declared as the official language of the country by passing an Act in 1956- thus, clearly ignoring the Tamil linguistic group.
• Formulated preferential policy that favored Sinhala-speaking people in all government jobs and educational institutions.
• The new constitution affirmed the primacy of Sinhala and further promoted and safeguarded Buddhism.

Effect of the Measures- 

• Feeling of alienation among Sri-Lankan Tamils as a result of repressive majoritarian measures.
• Tamils in Sri Lanka felt that the country's administration, which is dominated by the Sinhala language, discriminated against them in terms of employment possibilities and political rights. 
• None of the political parties showed any r egard for their language and culture.
• Relations between Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time.
• The Tamils' repeated requests for more autonomy for the T amil-populated provinces were rejected.  
• Several political organizations were established by the 1980s, calling for the creation of an i ndependent Tamil Eelam (state) in Sri Lanka's north and east. 
• Widespread fighting resulting from the mistrust between the two communities continued, leading to a Civil War- Within a nation, a violent fight between opposing parties that intensifies to the point where it resembles a war.