Question

What’s wrong if the majority community rules? If Sinhalas don’t rule in Sri Lanka, where else will they rule?

Answer 1

In a democracy, it is understood that the majority governs the government, but the majority does not necessarily mean the majority in terms of religion or community. Its true meaning is “majority of opinion”. Sometimes, the majority community may also have a part in the majority opinion. As a result, if based on opinion, rule by majority is not prohibited in a democratic system.

Sinhalas were in the majority and had a larger part of the government, but this does not imply that others will not be represented adequately. If this is the case, it cannot be considered a true democracy. In 1948, Sri Lanka gained independence. The Sinhala community’s leaders obtained a majority share of the government. As a result, the democratically elected government developed a number of MAJORITARIAN methods to demonstrate Sinhala supremacy.

In 1956, an Act was passed that recognised Sinhala as the sole official language, thereby ignoring Tamil. Because of government rules, Sinhala applicants received preferential treatment for academic spots and government posts. A new constitution stated that the state would safeguard and promote Buddhism. Sri Lankan Tamils gradually began to feel alienated. As a result, tensions between the Sinhala and Tamil communities grew over time, eventually escalating into a civil war.