India’s move to name the Jaffna Cultural Centre after the Tamil poet-philosopher, Thiruvalluvar, is a symbolic gesture by New Delhi to reinforce the unbreakable bond with Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Civil Conflict: Origins, War, and Aftermath 

• Demographics and Cultural Context:  
• • Sri Lanka’s population reflects deep cultural diversity: 
  • Sinhalese majority (74.9%) – predominantly Buddhist 
  • Sri Lankan Tamil minority (11.2%) – predominantly Hindu 
  • These communities are distinguished by both language and religion, creating complex social dynamics.

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Historical Origins 

• The Tamil presence in Sri Lanka has deep historical roots: 
• Migration through trade networks 
• Military presence from India’s Chola Kingdom 
• Early tensions centered on power distribution rather than cultural differences 
• Understanding these origins helps contextualize later developments. 

Colonial Impact and Independence 

• British colonial rule created lasting social implications: 
• Favored Tamil community in administration and education 
• Created resentment among Sinhalese population 
• Post-1948 independence marked dramatic power shift 
• Sinhalese majority gained political control 
  • This period laid groundwork for future conflicts

Rise of Armed Conflict

• Post-independence legislation restricted Tamil rights 
• Formation of LTTE in 1976 
• Influenced by guerrilla warfare tactics 
• 1983 marked outbreak of civil war 
• Anti-Tamil riots in Colombo escalated tensions 
• The conflict would last nearly three decades. 

Civil War Period (1983-2009) 

• The conflict’s impact: 
  • Widespread displacement 
  • Significant civilian casualties 
  • Military operations across north and east 
  • Concluded with LTTE leader’s death in 2009 
  • This period deeply scared Sri Lankan society.

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India’s Involvement in the Sri Lankan Conflict: A  Comprehensive Timeline 

• Early Period (1970s) : The roots of India’s involvement began with Tamil Nadu’s strong cultural and ethnic ties to Sri Lankan Tamils. 
  • Tamil Nadu, an Indian state with over 60 million Tamil people, became increasingly concerned about the treatment of their ethnic kin in Sri Lanka.
  • During the 1970s, the Indian central government under Indira Gandhi maintained a policy of non-intervention, though it kept close watch on developments. 
• Initial Engagement (1983-1985) : The 1983 anti-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka marked a turning point in India’s approach. Several developments occurred:  
  • India became a sanctuary for Tamil refugees, with thousands fleeing to Tamil Nadu. The Indian government began providing humanitarian assistance while simultaneously allowing Tamil militant groups to establish training camps in Tamil Nadu. 
  • This period saw India attempting to balance multiple interests: maintaining regional stability, responding to domestic pressure from Tam Nadu, and preventing the conflict from spilling over into Indian territory
• Active Diplomatic Phase (1985-1987) : India took on the role of active mediator, with several key developments: 
  • Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi initiated direct diplomatic engagement between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil representatives. 
  • The Thimpu talks of 1985 in Bhutan, facilitated by India, brought both parties to the negotiating table for the first time. 
  • However, these talks ultimately failed due to fundamental disagreements over Tamil autonomy.

India Sri Lanka Accord

• This period marked the height of India’s direct involvement: 
  • The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was signed on July 29, 1987, by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayewardene. The accord provided for: 
  • Devolution of power to provincial councils 
  • Official status for the Tamil language 
  • Merger of Northern and Eastern provinces 
  • Disarmament of Tamil militant groups 
  • Deployment of Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) 

IPKF Mission

• The IPKF mission, initially planned as a peacekeeping operation, evolved into a complex military engagement: 
  • Initial deployment of 13,000 troops grew to over 100,000 
  • IPKF faced resistance from the LTTE, which refused to disarm 
  • Operations resulted in significant casualties on all sides 

Withdrawal and Assassination (1990-1991) 

• The period marked a dramatic shift in India’s approach: 
• March 1990: The newly elected Sri Lankan President Premadasa demanded IPKF withdrawal 
• Complete withdrawal of IPKF by March 24, 1990 
• May 21, 1991: Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by LTTE suicide bomber 
• The assassination led to the LTTE being banned in India and a significant cooling of India’s direct involvement 

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Limited Engagement Period (1991-2000) 

• After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, India adopted a more hands-off approach: 
• Maintained diplomatic relations but avoided direct military involvement 
• Continued to host Tamil refugees 
• Provided humanitarian assistance 
• Supported international peace initiatives without taking a leading role

Final Phase of Conflict (2000-2009) 

• India maintained a delicate balance during the conflict’s final years: 
• Supported Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity while advocating for Tamil rights 
• Provided non-military assistance to Sri Lanka 
• Maintained neutrality during the final military operations 
• Urged protection of civilian lives during the conflict’s final stages 

Post-Conflict Period (2009-Present) 

• India’s current approach focuses on: 
  • Supporting reconstruction and rehabilitation in Tamil areas 
  • Advocating for implementation of the 13th Amendment (devolution of powers) 
  • Providing development assistance and housing projects 
  • Encouraging political reconciliation 
  • Managing refugee return and resettlement 
  • Balancing strategic interests with China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka

13th Amendment Act

• About: The Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987 led to the introduction of the 13th Amendment (13A) to Sri Lanka’s Constitution, which established Provincial Councils with limited autonomy. 
  • This was aimed at addressing Tamil grievances and promoting power devolution within a unitary Sri Lankan state.
• Opposition to the Accord: Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) opposed it, viewing it as an imposition by India on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rejected it because it did not meet their demand for a separate Tamil Eelam.

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Conclusion

However, a lasting resolution will require meaningful reconciliation, genuine political devolution, and addressing the aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka.

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