SBQ N level 2002

Questions1a. Study Source A. What does this source tell you about the relations between Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka? Explain your answer.

1b. Study Source B. Does this source prove that the Tamils in SL support the government? Explain your answer.

1c. Study Source C and D. How similar are sources C and D? Explain your answer.

1d. Study Source E. Was this cartoon by a Tamil or a Sinhalese? Explain your answer, using details of the cartoon.

Racial Discrimination in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka the conflict between the Tamils and the Sinhalese has existed since 1948. The Tamils feel that the Sinhalese dominated government has been unfair to them in various ways. At first the Tamils made peaceful demands for fairer treatment by the government. By the 1970s, when their demands had still not been met, a Tamil political party called for the creation of a separate Tamil state. The LTTE resorted to violence to achieve its aim.

Source A A view exprsesed by a Sinhalese about the Tamils in Sri Lanka, 1995
The LTTE terrorist complain that the Tamils have been trreated unfairly. This is o longer true. They say they hae been victims of discrimination in univrsity education, employment, and in other matters controlled by the government. But most of their demands were met long o. Discrmination exists in every society but in SL it is less serious than in some countries. It certainly does not give them the right to kill people. The Tamils do not need to be fred by a group of terrorists. Discrimination is not the real reason for terrorism, it is just an excuse.

Source B. A view expressed by the Sinhalese on events in Sri Lanka, 2000.
In Sri Lanka, the only happiness a Tamil enjoys is in the government controlled areas! This is not a war to end discrmination against the minority, it is just a war created by the LTTE's desire for power. It is the duty of all persons, especially the Tamils, to oppoe the terrorists whio destroy thousands of innocent children.

Source C. A view on discrmination in SL, expressed by a Tamil in Australia, 2000.
Sri Lanka has around 80% sinhalese and 20% tamils. But, if you look at the statistics, it shows that the Sri Lankan military has less than 1% Tamils. It shows there is a serious problem in  the way the country is governed. Imagine living in your own country where you can't speak your mother language at your local police statin. The government should also spend money on training programmes to get the Tamil teenaers into the work force. Let's solv these problems.

Source D. An international report in 1981 on university admissions in SL, written by an organisation whichtries to protect human rights around the world.
The government shoudl re-examineits policies on University admissions. University places shuld be awarded by ability, not race. Tamils and Sinhalese will then have equal rights to university education. A major cause of tension among many Tamil youths has been the limit placed on university places for them. This has prevente many Tamil youth from entering university.

Source E A cartoon about university admission in Sri Lanka.