Discovering the Deep Roots of the Tamil Genocide

The history of TamilEelam and its occupation by the Sri Lankan government has deep roots dating back to the colonial period, when the island was contested and ruled by several European powers. This history of colonisation, oppression, and resistance has shaped the destiny of the Eelam Tamil people, leading them to struggle for their rights and for self-determination—an issue that remains of vital importance today.

The Colonial Period and Its Consequences for the Island

The beginning of colonial rule over the island now known as Sri Lanka took place in 1505 with the arrival of the Portuguese, who established a permanent presence. This was followed by Dutch rule, which did not last long, as in the 18th century the island came under British control. The British unified all the kingdoms into a single administrative entity in 1833.

During the colonial period, the island was exploited for its natural resources, including coffee, rubber, and tea. The introduction of new agricultural and production techniques brought significant changes, including the establishment of an education system based on Western models. Despite these developments, colonial rule created the foundations for social and economic inequality.

1948: Sri Lankan Independence – The Beginning of a Dark Period for the Eelam Tamil People

Sri Lanka gained independence on 4 February 1948, marking the beginning of a dark period for the Eelam Tamil people, who have their own language, culture, and historical homeland in the north-east of the island, known as TamilEelam. As the British left the island, they failed to adequately account for its internal ethnic dynamics and transferred political power to the Sinhalese majority, beginning decades of discrimination and what the Eelam Tamil people describe as genocide against the Tamil population—an injustice they argue continues today.

Immediately after independence, the Sri Lankan government began implementing openly discriminatory laws, promoting a narrative portraying the Tamils as a minority that needed to be controlled. However, in the territory of TamilEelam, Tamils constituted the majority and asserted their right to self-determination.

1956: Sinhala Only Act – Sinhala Becomes the Official Language of the Entire Island

One of the first major acts of discrimination was the introduction of the Sinhala Only Act in 1956, a law that established Sinhala as the sole official language of Sri Lanka. This measure not only excluded Tamil speakers from full participation in political, administrative, and educational sectors, but also resulted in many Tamils losing their employment, further intensifying feelings of marginalisation.

Peaceful protests organised by Tamils against the law were brutally suppressed, leading to violence and pogroms against the Tamil community.

University Reforms of the 1970s: Tamil Students Required Higher Scores for University Admission Than Their Sinhalese Peers

In 1970, the government introduced educational reforms that discriminated against Tamil students, requiring them to obtain higher scores than their Sinhalese counterparts to gain admission to university. This discriminatory policy sought to restrict educational opportunities for Tamil youth and further fuelled growing resentment.

In response to continued discrimination and the government's failure to address Tamil grievances, Tamil political parties united in 1976 and adopted the Vaddukoddai Resolution, which called for the establishment of an independent state, TamilEelam, to ensure the survival and political future of the Tamil people.

Cultural Genocide and Black July 1981 & 1983

The government responded with measures aimed at erasing Tamil identity, including the burning of the Jaffna Public Library in 1981, an event widely regarded by the Tamil community as an act of cultural genocide. The destruction resulted in the loss of thousands of rare and valuable manuscripts and books, representing an irreparable loss to Tamil history and culture.

The violence against Tamils reached a devastating peak during Black July in 1983, a brutal pogrom in which more than 3,000 Tamil civilians were killed, many of them burned alive, while approximately 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes.

The government subsequently used the tragedy to suppress political parties advocating TamilEelam independence, accusing them of responsibility for the violence. Following Black July, many Tamil youth, frustrated by decades of discrimination and oppression, joined armed guerrilla movements to resist what they viewed as continued injustice. Others chose to leave the island in search of safety, giving rise to the Tamil Diaspora.

The Culmination of a Genocide: May 2009 and the Continuing Struggle of the Eelam Tamil People

May 2009 represents, from the perspective of the Eelam Tamil community, the culmination of a genocidal process whose roots extend back more than seven decades. During this prolonged period, the Eelam Tamil people experienced persecution, discrimination, and systematic violence by the Sri Lankan state, which they argue sought to destroy a people with its own distinct identity, history, language, religion, and homeland: TamilEelam.

The 18th of May has been designated by the Eelam Tamil people as an international day of remembrance for the genocide perpetrated against Eelam Tamils by the Sri Lankan government. This date not only commemorates the suffering endured but also keeps alive the hope for a future in which TamilEelam can finally be free from oppression and regain its autonomy. For Eelam Tamils, this is an unforgettable day and is known as a day of remembrance against the genocide of the Eelam Tamil people.

18 May marks, for Eelam Tamils, the culmination of systematic violence perpetrated by the Sri Lankan government, an event that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and the disappearance of more than 146,679 people whose whereabouts remain unknown.

The Eelam Tamil community argues that this genocide continues today in more subtle forms, including discriminatory policies and continued military occupation of Tamil areas.

The Sri Lankan government continues to evade calls for investigations and accountability for alleged crimes committed, while delays by the international community provide time for evidence to disappear and historical memory to be eroded.

Nevertheless, Tamils continue to advocate for justice and recognition of their violated rights. In the pursuit of justice and the restoration of rights that have been denied, the right to self-determination remains of fundamental importance.

The JVP/NPP Government: A New Administration, but No Change to the National Question

The newly formed JVP/NPP government, under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, came to power promising to break away from the corrupt and violent regimes of the past. Yet, from the perspective of the Eelam Tamil people, the new administration has proven to be no beacon of hope for the Tamil nation.

The Sinhala ethnocratic state remains deeply entrenched in a constitutional and political structure that grants foremost status to Buddhism while failing to adequately address the national aspirations and rights of the Eelam Tamil people. The continued dominance of Sinhala chauvinism perpetuates the systematic marginalisation of Tamil rights and voices.

As long as this structural framework remains unchanged, no administration—regardless of how reformist it claims to be—can meaningfully address the national question of the Eelam Tamils or provide a lasting political solution based on equality, justice, and self-determination.

Chemmani Mass Grave: The Search for Truth and Accountability Continues

The Chemmani Mass Grave has once again come into focus following the discovery of new human remains. The site, located in Jaffna, was first brought to public attention in 1998. According to long-standing allegations and reports, the site may contain the remains of hundreds of civilians, including infants.

Despite the seriousness of these allegations, no meaningful and comprehensive investigation took place at the time. For decades, survivors and families of the disappeared have feared that the Sri Lankan state could obstruct, limit, or terminate any genuine investigation, perpetuating a culture of impunity.

The renewed discovery of remains at Chemmani highlights the urgent need for a credible, independent, and internationally supported investigation. The families of those who disappeared have the right to know what happened to their loved ones, and the evidence must be preserved before it is lost forever.

Chemmani is not simply a mass grave. It represents the unresolved wounds of a people who have spent decades seeking truth, justice, accountability, and answers.

The international community must not allow these questions to remain unanswered. Genuine accountability requires independent investigation, preservation of evidence, identification of victims, and justice for those responsible.

For the Eelam Tamil people, the struggle continues—not only to remember the victims, but to ensure that their history cannot be erased and that the right to truth, justice, and self-determination is finally recognised.