History

Although Sri Lanka has attracted many with its reputation of being a beautiful tropical island, those who actually live there see the country in a different light. What would probably stand out in the minds of Sri Lankans is the long and brutal civil war that broke out against the Buddhist Sinhalese and the Hindu Tamils. The Tamils were a minority, although they did increase in number when the British brought them over as laborers. They played a big part in Sri Lanka’s success in the tea industry. Due to a lack of acceptance, and the Sinhalese feeling threatened by the thought of the Tamils being favored by the British, the tension and war began. The war had a huge impact on the lives of Sri Lankans by making it an unsafe place to live. Although safety clearly was a big issue, made evident by the over 70,000 deaths, this civil war also made life for those who were spared more difficult. Due the fear that came with this violent war, tourism took a hit, which has led to tougher economic times as well. Overall, the tension, violence, economic downfall, and disunity that exists in Sri Lanka has made living in this country a challenge.