Which one of the following statements about the ethnic conflict in Sri...
Explanation:The false statement about the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka is option 'C', which states that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) were supported by the SAARC countries. The LTTE was not supported by SAARC countries.
Background:The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka primarily involved the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. The Sinhalese, who are predominantly Buddhist, make up the majority population in Sri Lanka, while the Tamils, who are mainly Hindu, form a significant minority. The conflict arose due to various political, social, and economic factors, as well as differences in language and cultural identity.
False Statement:There was no support from SAARC countries for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), the militant group that fought for an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka. SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is an intergovernmental organization comprising eight South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka. While some countries within SAARC may have sympathized with the Tamil cause, there is no evidence to suggest that the LTTE received official support from SAARC as a collective body.
Other Statements:Let's examine the other statements to understand the context of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka:
Politics in Sri Lanka openly favored the Sinhalas:This statement is true. Sri Lanka has a history of political favoritism towards the Sinhalese majority. The Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist ideology has influenced politics, resulting in discriminatory policies and practices against the Tamil minority.
Interests of Tamils were neglected:This statement is true. The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka has faced marginalization and discrimination in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and political representation. Their interests and grievances were often overlooked by the dominant Sinhalese political elite.
There was no political equality in Sri Lanka:This statement is true. The Tamil minority has long struggled for political equality and autonomy, seeking to address their grievances through peaceful means initially and resorting to armed conflict later on.
In Conclusion:Out of the given statements, the false statement is option 'C', which wrongly claims that the LTTE was supported by SAARC countries. While there may have been sympathy for the Tamil cause among some nations within SAARC, there is no evidence to suggest that SAARC as a collective body officially supported the LTTE.