Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and prospects of management: An empirical inquiry

Abstract

The objective of this article is to examine the background and the pattern of conflict and the management procedure in Sri Lanka. The author examines issues such as state sponsored peasant resettlement schemes, the official language policy, public sector employment and university admission policy as the background of the conflict. The pattern of the conflict began as political terrorism in 1972, gradually expanded and developed into organised guerrilla warfare. Finally the response of the government and the contradictory objectives of the main actors is examined.