Language Research

Besides charges of discrimination towards Tamils leveled against Sri Lanka, the most commonly heard complaint is the allegedly unsatisfactory place given to the Tamil language in the affairs of the country.

The Official Language Act from June 5, 1956 declared Sinhala the only official language in the country. The Act was passed and immediately caused a reaction among Tamils, who perceived their language, culture and economic position to be endangered by the new legislation. The Tamil Language Special Provision Act (1959) and the 1978 Constitution were adopted to appease Tamil sentiment by granting national status to the Tamil language. Sinhala remained the only official language and civil servants were expected to acquire proficiency in it. Sinhalese applicants were preferred to Tamil in the Universities and public employment spheres until July 29, 1987, when Tamil became an official language.

It is an accepted fact that the denial of language rights formed the basis for the ethnic problems in Sri Lanka. “Weekend Express” wrote in 1996 “...the language issue has grown to such proportions as to bring this country to the verge of total destruction”.