Thread by @MarioArul

It’s that time of the year!
Independence Day thread

Sri Lanka is a racist country - institutionally & societally. Sinhala supremacy has been the leading ideology for 72 years - killing over 100k Tamils. For Tamils, independence from GB only meant subservience to the Sinhalese

Sinhala chauvinism manifests itself in the constitution: Sri Lanka “shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana” #LKA72

Sinhala chauvinism manifests itself in the flag - the four bo leaves in the corner represent Buddhism. The lion, representing the Sinhalese, has been a symbol of their kingdoms for centuries. It has been used as a banner while fighting Tamils throughout its history - incl 2009

Sinhala chauvinism manifests itself in the military: it committed genocide against Tamils. It’s regiments are named after ancient Sinhala kings, legendary in nationalist narratives for defeating Tamil kings. Logos are in Sinhala. It’s military ceremonies are exclusively Buddhist

Sinhala chauvinism manifests itself in the government - whoever is in power. Every leader of the country, regardless of party, pledges to uphold Buddhist supremacy and pledges to deny power to Tamils. Every. Damn. Election. tamilguardian.com/content/ranil-… tamilguardian.com/content/gotaba…

Sinhala chauvinism manifests itself in schools: Sinhala nationalist history is taught across the country, in all languages. No meaningful history about the origins of the armed conflict is taught not even on repeated Sinhala pogroms against Tamils. Excerpt from CTF report:

Sinhala supremacy is taught in children’s books. These are from a popular book series, some of which I bought in Colombo in Nov 2019. Whitewashing the anti-muslim pogroms of 1915, the talk of “Tamil invaders”, etc - Sinhala Buddhist supremacy is normalised at a young age

Sinhala supremacy is embedded in folklore - which is then reproduced in state institutions. For example - the “demala sanniya” (“Tamil demon”) postal stamp. The “disease”, called “Tamil Demon” has Tamil characteristics and requires “exorcism”

Sinhala chauvinism manifests itself in civil society: Tamil sources are regularly discredited and delegitimised. Attacks and harrassment of Tamils don’t garner attention as Sinhalese. Sinhalese killed by the state are remembered appropriately, while Tamils killed are ignored

And what does it mean when “unity” is called for, locally or internationally? What do they mean by unity? This advertising board is a perfect illustration of this - “unity” but under the Buddhist flag. “Unity” means acceptance of Sinhala hegemony. If not, you’re not welcome

Or this. This video was put out on national TV after Muslims were being attacked by Sinhala mobs. And it talks about the fall of the Kandyan kingdom

This, written last year by someone who has now left twitter, is poignant. It’ll just never be enough. The Sri Lankan national identity as it is, is inherently at odds with Tamil national identity - as it seeks to make Tamils subservient.

There are many many more examples. Resource allocation, development activities, healthcare, archaeology, academia etc etc is all skewed towards upholding and even furthering Sinhala supremacy. So don’t be surprised you don’t see many Tamils in the NorthaEast celebrate today

Black flags will be flown, protests will be held, the Sri Lankan national identity imposed by the state will be rejected by the Tamil people, as it has been for decades. 11 years after the end of the armed violence, the underlying conflict continues. And Tamils continue to resist

And here we go - Jaffna University students again raise black flags, call for justice, call for the repeal of the PTA and mark “independence day” as Black Day, continuing the decade old tradition of Tamils and their political leaders

https://twitter.com/mayurappriyan/status/1224569477108506624