Question

"The law enacted in 1956 and other Constitutional Provisions led to major conflict between the two communities in Sri Lanka." Support the statement.…

Accepted Answer

(i) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. (ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. (iii) A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. (iv) Majoritarianism gradually increased the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils. (v) They felt the Constitution and the government policies denied them equal political rights. (vi) The relations between the Sinhala and Tamil Communities remained strained over time. (vii) They launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language. (viii) They demanded regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. (ix) But their demands were repeatedly denied. (b) “Power sharing increases trust between different groups.” Support the statement. (i) The basic principle of democracy is that people are the source for all political power. (ii) Everyone has a voice in shaping public policies. (iii) Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts. (iv) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. (v) Belgium is the prime example of power sharing. (vi) Power sharing gives space to social groups such as religious and linguistic groups. (vii) Interest groups, pressure groups like traders, and industrialists influence power sharing. (viii) Power sharing gives minority communities fair share in power. (ix) Power sharing accommodates social diversity.

"The law enacted in $\displaystyle 1956$ and other Constitutional Provisions led to major conflict between the two communities in Sri Lanka." Support the statement.

Marking-scheme solution

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(a)OR(b)"The law enacted in $\displaystyle 1956$ and other Constitutional Provisions led to major conflict between the two communities in Sri Lanka." Support the statement."Power sharing increases trust between different groups." Support the statement.

Marking-scheme solution

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"The law enacted in $\displaystyle 1956$ and other Constitutional Provisions led to major conflict between the two communities in Sri Lanka." Support the statement.