Official Language of Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, Sinhala was declared as the only official language by the "Sinhala Only Act" of 1956. This decision was made under the government of Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike with the aim of promoting Sinhala language and culture over Tamil language and culture.

Historical Context

The move to make Sinhala the only official language was seen as a way to address the grievances of the Sinhalese majority who felt marginalized during the colonial rule where English was the dominant language. However, this decision led to resentment and protests from the Tamil minority who felt their language rights were being suppressed.

Consequences

The "Sinhala Only Act" created deep divisions between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities, ultimately fueling tensions that escalated into a decades-long civil war. The Tamil minority felt discriminated against and fought for language rights and autonomy, leading to the formation of militant groups advocating for a separate Tamil state.

Repeal of the Act

In 1987, the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution was passed as part of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, which granted official status to Tamil language alongside Sinhala. This was seen as a step towards reconciliation and addressing the grievances of the Tamil minority.

Current Status

Today, both Sinhala and Tamil are recognized as official languages in Sri Lanka, with English also being used in government and business. Efforts are being made to promote language equality and ensure that all communities have equal access to services and opportunities.