Role of diasporas in homeland conflicts, conflict resolution, and post-war reconstruction: the case of Tamil diaspora and Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT

The case of Sri Lanka and the Tamil diaspora can be cited as a classic case of participation by a diaspora in the homeland conflict and to some extent also in conflict resolution. Influenced by lived experiences of discrimination and suffering in an ethnocentric homeland and a range of racial prejudices and economic deprivation, in the host lands, the diaspora Tamils developed a strong sense of Tamil identity and ethno-nationalism which the LTTE could successfully harvest on. However, with the devastating civil war coming to an end, and a new government in power, numerous opportunities have opened up for diaspora participation in the development and reconstruction of the war-torn regions. All that is required is a pragmatic and reconciliatory approach by both sides – by the diaspora as well as by the Sri Lankan state.

KEYWORDS:

• Sri Lanka
• ethnic conflict
• diaspora
• Tamil diaspora
• long-distance nationalism
• homeland

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Dr Amba Pande is with the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her research focus has been Indian Diaspora and International migration and she has published various articles in national and international journals.

Notes

1. Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Diaspora: Tamils in Sri Lanka are from mainly two groups: (a) Sri Lankan Tamils: who have lived on the island since around the second century Before Common era and (b) Indian Tamils: who are the descendants of indentured of labourers who were transported from Tamil Nadu in the nineteenth century, to work on tea plantations under the British colonial system. The latter can be included in the framework of the ‘Indian Diaspora’. The Sri Lankan Tamils are around 12% of the population and are mostly concentrated in the Northeast of Sri Lanka or the Jaffna area. The Indian Tamils are around 6% of population and mostly inhabit the central highlands. Historically, both groups have seen themselves as separate communities, although there has been a greater sense of unity since the 1980s. The Tamil Diaspora consists of some 800,000 people concentrated mostly in Canada (approx. 300,000), Switzerland (approx. 40,000), Norway (approx.10,000), France (approx. 40.000), UK (approx. 110,000), US and Australia (approx. 30,000 each). One-third of Sri Lankan Tamils now live outside Sri Lanka.

2. Sinhalese Diaspora: The Sinhala diaspora is also much politicised with a significant element of 'long distance nationalism’ and Sinhala chauvinistic rhetoric. They too are closely connected through networks. As the ethnic conflict raged the two diasporas saw complete polarisation.