The Sri Lankan Tamils
Subtitle: ethnicity and identity
By: edited by Chelvadurai Manogaran and Bryan Pfaffenberger.
Contributors: Pfaffenberger, Bryan, 1949-
Edition: Westview softcover ed.
Publisher: Westview Press
Published: 1994
Place of publication: Boulder
Language: eng
Number of pages: 247
Subjects: Tamil (Indic people) -- Sri Lanka -- Politics and government.; Sri Lanka -- History -- 1948-; Sri Lanka -- Ethnic relations.
Description: Within the larger context of the bitter ethnic strife in Sri Lanka, this timely volume assembles a multidisciplinary group of scholars to explore the central issue of Tamil identity. Bringing historical, sociological, political, and geographical perspectives to bear on the subject, the contributors analyze various aspects of the Sri Lankan Tamil community as it strives to justify its rightful place on the island.

Exploring the roots of conflict in Sri Lanka, the book traces the distinct historical origins of the Sri Lankan Tamils, discusses the impact of colonial rule, assesses the country's caste system, and questions the government's land settlement policy as well as other discriminatory practices. This exploration enables the contributors to explain the rise of militant movements in Sri Lanka - particularly the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who demand the right of self-determination.

Finally, the volume addresses the explosive issues of separatism and secession.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.