Rise of militancy Origins of the Sri Lankan civil war

tamil rebels in truck in killinochchi in 2004

since 1948 when sri lanka became independent, successive governments have adopted policies had effect of net preference majority sinhalese @ expense of minority sri lankan tamils. governments adopted these policies in order assist sinhalese community in such areas education , public employment. these policies severely curtailed middle class tamil youth, found more difficult during 1970s , 1980s enter university or secure employment. these individuals belonging younger generation, referred other tamils boys (podiyan in tamil language) formed many militant organizations. important contributor strength of militant groups black july pogrom perceived have been organized event in on 1000 sri lankan tamil civilians killed prompting many youth prefer armed path of resistance.

by end of 1987, had fought not sri lankan security forces indian peace keeping force. fought among each other, well, equal if not greater brutality. main group: liberation tigers of tamil eelam (ltte), rebel group, decimated of others. represented intergenerational tensions caste , ideological differences. except ltte, many of remaining organizations have morphed minor political parties within tamil national alliance or standalone political parties. function paramilitary groups within sri lankan military.