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Describe 1956 act of sri lanka ?
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Describe 1956 act of sri lanka ?
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Describe 1956 act of sri lanka ?
The 1956 Act in Sri Lanka is also known as the Sinhala Only Act, as it made Sinhala the official language of the country. This act had a significant impact on the linguistic and political landscape of Sri Lanka.

Background

Before the 1956 Act, Sri Lanka was a multilingual nation, with Sinhala, Tamil, and English being the primary languages spoken. However, the colonial legacy of British rule had created a system that favored the English language over the native languages of the island.

In 1944, the All-Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) proposed a resolution to make Tamil an official language alongside Sinhala and English. However, this proposal was rejected by the ruling United National Party (UNP).

The 1956 Act

In 1956, the newly elected government of Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike passed the Official Language Act, which made Sinhala the only official language of Sri Lanka. The act also mandated that the use of Sinhala in government communications and publications, education, and the judiciary.

Impact

The 1956 Act had a significant impact on the linguistic and political landscape of Sri Lanka. Here are some of its key effects:

1. Marginalization of Tamils

The Sinhala Only Act marginalized the Tamil-speaking population in Sri Lanka. Tamil speakers, who made up approximately 20% of the population, were effectively excluded from government jobs, higher education, and other opportunities.

2. Nationalism

The 1956 Act was part of a broader push for Sinhalese nationalism in Sri Lanka. The government sought to promote a unified Sinhalese identity by emphasizing the importance of the Sinhala language.

3. Conflict

The Sinhala Only Act contributed to the growing tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka. This tension eventually erupted into a full-scale civil war that lasted for over 25 years.

4. Repeal

In 1987, the 1956 Act was repealed by the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. The amendment recognized both Sinhala and Tamil as official languages of Sri Lanka.

Conclusion

The 1956 Act had a profound impact on Sri Lanka's linguistic and political landscape. While it aimed to promote Sinhalese nationalism, it ended up marginalizing the Tamil-speaking population and contributing to a long and bloody conflict. The repeal of the act in 1987 was a step towards reconciliation and recognition of the diversity of Sri Lanka's population.
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Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows:Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of MAJORITARIAN measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. All these government measures coming one after the other, gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture. They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests. As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. But their demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils was repeatedly denied. By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (stat e) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a CIVIL WAR. As a result, thousands of people of both the communities were killed. Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many more lost their livelihoods.Q. Which is the official language of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of MAJORITARIAN measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. All these government measures coming one after the other, gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture. They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests. As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. But their demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils was repeatedly denied. By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (stat e) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. . As a result, thousands of people of both the communities were killed. Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many more lost their livelihoods. The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a CIVIL WAR. Sri Lanka’s population is comprised of 75 percent Sinhalese and 24 percent Tamil speakers (11% Sri Lankan Tamils, 9% Moors, and 4% Indian Tamils), with smaller communities of Malays, Burghers, and others. The Sri Lankan civil war, which ended in 2009, was triggered in part by the introduction of language policies that created divisions along ethnic and linguistic lines.What were the majoritarian measures adopted by the democratically elected government in Sri Lanka in the 1950s and how did they contribute to the strained relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities?

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows:Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of MAJORITARIAN measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. All these government measures coming one after the other, gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture. They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests. As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. But their demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils was repeatedly denied. By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (stat e) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a CIVIL WAR. As a result, thousands of people of both the communities were killed. Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many more lost their livelihoods.Q. The process of dominance over the government by virtue of majority is seen in which country?

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