Learning from others

Conflict in Sri Lanka

I found this information very useful as I attentively listened in class as my handsome young teacher spoke. He explained about the conflict in Sri Lanka which involved the Sinhalese and the Tamils. The conflict was so violent that various freedom fighting groups such as the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). He carefully explained to us several keypoints that erupted the conflict. I found myself unable to concentrate momentarily, staring at my teachers handsome face and his delicate silky smooth hair. I smelt his cologne from where I was sitting. Then, it happened. As he begun his explanation with his sultry voice, I understood and fully appreciated the racial harmony in Singapore. Let me briefly list out the key points of the sinhalese-tamil conflict.



1. Citizenship rights

Indian Tamils were denied basic rights such as education, jobs, housing and voting. Singapore has no racial discrimination. All adult citizens of the country can vote, regardless of race, language or religion.

2. 'Sinhala only' policy

Sinhala was declared the national language of Sri Lanka in 1956 due to the devious plan of the sinhalese to eliminate the Tamils. Tamils in the government sector were given two years to perfect their Sinhala or were given the boot. Tamils were enraged by this as they found it hard to be promoted or to find a job. However, in Singapore, the exact opposite has taken place. MRT and school signboards are engraved with the four main languages of Singapore's society- English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

3. Resettlement
The Tamils were upset with the Sinhalese settlers as they were offered the homes of the Tamils while the Tamils were being driven away by the Sri Lankan Army. In SIngapore, we have many different areas for the four main races. Chinatown, Little India, Geylang and Kampong Glam. However, these are not places that only people of a certain 'skin colour' can reside. Chinatown has been turned into a night market, similar to that of Taiwan. Various sites of these places have been turned into monumental landmarks with historical value to the younger generation. Events that occured in the second world war are inscribed on the walls of some places in Chinatown- preserved to remind us that we must not take peace for granted. Field trips are often conducted in these areas of cultural value. Other steps the government takes to ensure racial harmony are imposing fines on making insensitive remarks on minority races. The government also encourages the youth by organising heritage tours to educate them on other cultures, traditions and beliefs. This is a fun way for the children to learn about their different skinned peers while the knowledge is taught as they are young, thus building good roots ensuring racial harmony for generations to come.