Nation Building and Early Social, Political and Economic Developments
- After independence, Sri Lanka focused on consolidating democracy, expanding welfare policies and building national identity, while facing deepening ethnic inequality.
- The new state adopted a Westminster-style democracy with regular elections and strong political parties.
- Early governments invested heavily in education, healthcare and food subsidies, creating a broad welfare state.
- Economic development lagged due to dependence on tea, rubber and coconut exports.
- Political parties increasingly appealed to ethnic identity, shaping national debates.
- Tensions grew between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority over language rights, jobs and university access.
Case study
Sinhala Only Act (1956)
Origins and Intent
- The government made Sinhala the sole official language, replacing English and excluding Tamil speakers.
- The policy aimed to empower Sinhalese voters who felt disadvantaged under colonial legacy.
- Tamil political leaders protested, demanding parity between Sinhala and Tamil.
- The law symbolized a shift toward majoritarian nationalism.
- Education and government employment became harder for Tamil speakers.
Impact and Consequences
- The act deepened ethnic divides and strengthened Tamil political mobilization.
- Peaceful protests by Tamil parties were met with violence, worsening mistrust.
- Language became the central issue of ethnic identity and grievance.
- Later policies attempted partial accommodation, but resentment persisted.
- The act laid the foundation for future separatist politics and armed conflict.
Definition
Majoritarianism
Political dominance by the ethnic majority at the expense of minorities.
Definition
Official language policy
Government decision defining the language(s) used for administration and law.
Political Upheaval, Economic Struggles and the 1971 Uprising
- The first major internal rebellion, driven by youth frustrations and economic stagnation, challenged the government’s authority.
- Economic growth slowed in the 1960s, increasing unemployment among educated youth.
- Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the world’s first female prime minister, introduced socialist policies and nationalization.
- Her government emphasized non-alignment, closer ties with China and state intervention in the economy.
- Many young people felt excluded from political and economic opportunities.
- The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) mobilized rural youth for revolutionary change.
Case study
JVP Uprising (1971)
Causes and Motivations
- High unemployment and inequality fueled disillusionment among young Sinhalese.
- The JVP promoted a radical socialist program and accused the government of corruption.
- Weak local administration created openings for rebellion.
- Bandaranaike’s nationalization of industries alienated some economic groups.
- Social frustration merged with ideological radicalization.
Outcomes and Significance
- The uprising was suppressed quickly by the Sri Lankan military with foreign assistance.
- Thousands were arrested, revealing the depth of youth grievances.
- The state expanded surveillance and security laws.
- Economic reforms were attempted but remained inconsistent.
- The rebellion showed the fragility of democratic institutions under economic strain.
Definition
JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna)
Marxist revolutionary movement behind the 1971 uprising.
Definition
Nationalization
Government takeover of private industries, expanding state control.
Ethnic Conflict, Civil War and Long-Term Challenges
- Tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities escalated into one of South Asia’s most prolonged and violent civil conflicts.
- The government’s failure to address Tamil demands for autonomy increased ethnic polarization.
- Tamil youth joined militant groups such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
- Anti-Tamil riots in Black July (1983) marked the beginning of the full civil war.
- The conflict involved assassinations, suicide bombings and government counterinsurgency.
- Social and economic development suffered severely due to displacement, militarization and instability.
Case study
Black July (1983)
Causes and Triggers
- LTTE ambushed Sri Lankan soldiers, triggering widespread anti-Tamil riots.
- Long-standing grievances over language, education and political rights fueled anger.
- Government failure to control mobs accelerated the violence.
- Urban areas erupted as Tamil homes, shops and temples were targeted.
- The riots revealed deep societal fractures.
Impact and Consequences
- Thousands of Tamils were killed or displaced, both internally and abroad.
- The violence pushed many Tamil youth into the LTTE, strengthening the insurgency.
- India became involved, supporting Tamil groups before later sending peacekeepers.
- The war intensified, eventually lasting nearly three decades.
- International condemnation increased pressure on Sri Lanka to negotiate reforms.
Common Mistake
- Oversimplifying the conflict as purely ethnic rather than linked to political, economic and linguistic grievances.
- Treating Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s rule as only symbolic instead of analyzing her economic and foreign policydecisions.
- Ignoring how early policies like the Sinhala Only Act directly shaped the origins of civil war.
Exam technique
- Use the Sinhala Only Act, 1971 JVP Uprising and Black July as strong evidence points.
- Compare how governments attempted to respond to both left-wing uprisings and ethnic separatism.
- Highlight the relationship between economic instability and political radicalization.
Theory of Knowledge
- How does national identity shape competing narratives of conflict?
- Can government policies unintentionally deepen social divisions?
- How does historical memory influence reconciliation efforts after civil war?
Self review
- Assess the challenges Sri Lanka faced in nation building after 1948.
- Examine the causes and consequences of the 1971 JVP uprising.
- To what extent did political and linguistic policies contribute to the Sri Lankan civil war?
