Apr 9, 7pm
Seery's Place, Bentota

I remember that I had promised you a potted history of Sri Lanka. I started but it's all too complicated so here's a doped version instead;

Way back (like AD500 ish dude); 2 tribes, Tamil (in the North, Hindu with support from India) & Sinhalese (with most of the decent land but support from no-one)

Then to 1500; general warring with India China etc. Sinbad (of sailor fame) visits

1500~1660 In mistaken belief that Portugese will protect them from India China etc, Sinhalese make deal with them. Portugese rape country.

1660~1800 In mistaken belief that Dutch will protect them from the Portugese, Sinhalese make deal with them. Dutch rape country. And build canals.

1800~1950 In mistaken belief that British will protect them from the Dutch, Sinhalese make deal with them. British rape country. And introduce tea (main crop was coffee prior to a blight that wiped out all the coffee plants in the 1870s.)

1948 Independence

1957 "Sinhala only" Law is passed. This, along with several other bits of pro-Sinhalese legislation, makes most Tamils unemployable in govt posts & places in university more difficult (think Bumi-putra law)

1960 PM assassinated for negotiating with Tamils...by a buddhist monk

1960~1980 Tamils stripped of citizenship. Some "repatriated" to India, balance given citizenship back. Marginalisation of Tamils all but complete.

Mid 1970's LTTE formed. These are the most famous & strongest of the rebel factions who go under the common name of the Tamil Tigers, still the only known rebel force with it's own NAVY.

1983 A Tiger faction ambushes an army patrol. All hell breaks loose. Sinhalese civilians take to the streets in Colombo and other towns & cities. Up to 2,000 Tamils killed. Many Tamils flee to the North & many Sinhalese living in Tamil areas move South. Geographical polarisation of country complete.

Then 'till now CIVIL WAR. Loads dead, stuff blown up, atrocities on both sides.
Tamils now in control of rougly 1/3 of country including the North (Jaffna) and a big slice of the east.

Recently; Serious negotiations between LTTE & govt. Main sticking point being an autonymous Tamil state. PM pro compromise, President anti. President won recent election so the future is anyone's guess. Seems peaceful enough here at the mo.

Bomber out