International Involvement in the Sri Lankan Civil WarMichael Cockburn

Colonial History

• Portuguese landed on the island in 1505, set up a fort in the port city of Colombo

• Passed hands first to the Dutch, then to the British in 1786.

• Britain immigrated many Tamils to the island

• Intentionally accentuated ethnic differences

Effect of Colonialism

• The colonial history of Sri Lanka is important in understanding the conflict that was to come.

• Gave the majority Sinhalese a ‘minority’ conceptualization of self

• Sinhalese set out to protect their culture from encroached upon by the Tamils

• Cut away at Tamil rights while enshrining their own

Indian Intervention

India took a paternalist tack towards the Tamils

Provided materiel and training to groups such as the Tigers

Intervened militarily in 1987, began open conflict with the Tigers

Withdrew in 1990, Prime Minister assassinated in 1991.

Tamil TerrorConducted over 200

suicide bombings

Invented the suicide belt in the 1980’s, Pioneered the use of women as suicide bombers

Abductions & extortions

Use mines to attack civilians

Have assassinated over 20 high profile officials

Diaspora• Tamils have a vast diaspora

community around the word• Actively lobbied

governments to support the Tamil Tigers’ cause

• Funded Tamil operations both willingly and unwillingly

Sri Lanka Monitoring

Mission• Norway came to play a

central role in 2002• Convinced both parties to

sign a Memorandum of Understanding

• Started up an observation organization with other Scandinavian countries

• Ineffectual, allegations of biased reporting

• Fragile peace ended in 2006, mission was ended soon thereafter

End GameInternational Community

aligned behind Sri Lankan Government

Large-scale financial assistance

Sanctioning of Tamil operations

Active intelligence sharing

Large arm shipments as well as infrastructure improvements