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NewsDecode | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India and its neighbourhood relations; International issues
For Students:
From the UPSC perspective, the following elements are critical:
Mains level: India-Sri Lanka relations; Tamil issue in Sri Lanka; State policies on land rights.
Prelims level: Sri Lanka - political and geographical context, Tamil community, and constitutional framework.
Why in the News?
Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake recently pledged to return lands seized by state agencies to Tamil families in the country’s north and east. This commitment aligns with longstanding demands from the Tamil community, which has faced historical challenges concerning land rights and resettlement post-civil war.
Key Issues Surrounding Tamil Land Rights in Sri Lanka:
Historical Context: The civil war (1983–2009) led to the displacement of Tamil families from the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, with significant portions of land under military occupation or government control even post-war.
Current Situation: Despite numerous calls from Tamil political groups, community organizations, and international bodies, land reclamation for displaced Tamil families has been slow. Government and military presence in these regions remains high, hindering free movement and land ownership for local communities.
Tamil Nationalism and Political Autonomy: Land reclamation is intrinsically tied to broader Tamil demands for autonomy and cultural rights. Many Tamil leaders view land ownership as a step toward restoring ethnic identity and economic independence within the provinces.
President Dissanayake’s Pledge: Policy and Implications
Domestic Reconciliation Efforts: Restoring Tamil lands is part of Dissanayake’s broader reconciliation efforts to bridge the ethnic divide between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. This policy intends to ease tensions by addressing Tamil grievances that have historically fuelled demands for greater autonomy.
Impact on Mili