Published Paper Details:

Sri Lanka has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, from one of the most prosperous countries in South Asia to a bankrupt state. The ethnic cleansing of Tamil minorities is considered to be the main reason for the country's downfall. The Sri Lankan ethnic conflict goes back to the British colonial period, when the British actively encouraged the politicization of ethnicity by dividing the Ceylon society on communal lines. This policy led to the emergence of Sinhalese and Tamil nationalist movements, which competed for power and resources. After independence, the Sinhalese majority came to dominate the Sri Lankan government, and this led to a number of discriminatory policies that marginalized the Tamil minority. For example, the Sinhala Only Act made Sinhala the sole official language of Sri Lanka, which discriminated against Tamil speakers. The government also gave preferential treatment to Sinhalese in education and employment. These discriminatory policies led to a growing sense of grievance among the Tamil minority, and this eventually led to the outbreak of violence. The conflict reached a peak in the 1980s, when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched a violent campaign for an independent Tamil state. The LTTE was a well-organized and well-armed group, and they were able to inflict significant damage on the Sri Lankan government. The civil war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government lasted for 26 years, and it ended in 2009 with the defeat of the LTTE. However, the conflict has had a lasting impact on the country, leaving a legacy of bitterness and mistrust between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. It is important to understand the underlying causes of the conflict in order to develop effective strategies for peacebuilding. This research paper explores the reasons behind the present downfall of Sri Lanka by examining the successive governments' policies that marginalized the most progressive minorities of the country. It also discusses the historical roots of the conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities, the political and economic factors that contributed to the conflict, and the long-term consequences of these policies. The research paper concludes by discussing the challenges and opportunities facing Sri Lanka as it seeks to build a more peaceful and prosperous future. It also discusses the role of the international community in supporting Sri Lanka's efforts to achieve peace and prosperity.