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Sri Lanka

Bien qu'étant la plus ancienne démocratie d'Asie du Sud, le Sri Lanka est aux prises avec un traitement inégal des groupes ethniques du pays

Groupes Évalués

  • Appartance ethnique
  • Religion

Le Sri Lanka est un pays multiethnique, multireligieux et multilingue. C’est la plus ancienne démocratie d’Asie du Sud. Le traitement inégal des groupes ethniques et religieux à tous les échelons de la société représente un obstacle important à la réalisation du pluralisme. Par exemple, le traitement préférentiel systématique de la population bouddhiste cinghalaise empêche la pleine participation de tous les citoyens sri-lankais à la vie politique, économique et sociale du pays. Ce traitement préférentiel est inscrit dans la Constitution, qui fait du bouddhisme la religion privilégiée du pays. Le pays sort d’une « paix des vainqueurs » imposée par le gouvernement, après une guerre civile de trente ans. Une réconciliation véritable, significative et inclusive est encore nécessaire pour que le Sri Lanka puisse réaliser son potentiel en tant que société pacifique, prospère et démocratique. Cet evaluation été achevée en 2022.

Recommendations

Embrace opportunity to represent Sri Lanka as a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural society in the new, proposed Constitution

Sri Lanka and its institutions can play a pivotal role in encouraging citizens to embrace pluralism. Sri Lanka proposed to introduce a new Constitution at the 43rd session of the UNCHR in Geneva. There is now an opportunity for this new Constitution to codify the island as multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious and multi-cultural.

Incorporate pluralism concepts within educational curricula

Education is critical to equipping learners to engage positively with difference. Pluralism can be integrated into school curriculum as a measure to safeguard the island’s multi-cultural identity.

Strengthen bilingualism for bureaucrats and in public services

As a bilingual country (Sinhala and Tamil), the government can work to strengthen the provision of bilingual public service to the benefit of all its citizens.

Reactivate District Reconciliation Committees (DRCs) to help mitigate ethno-religious tensions

Reactivation of DRCs and subdistrict-level DRCs may promote positive connections across communities. This can have the effect of mitigating ethno-religious tensions and promote conflict resolution at local levels.

Establish a Pluralism and Equal Rights Commission

The report calls for the establishment of a Pluralism and Equal Rights Commission to promote pluralism in society and to work on issues identified in the fundamental rights chapter of the Constitution. The Commission could refer any proposed law to the Supreme Court with its observations on how such laws may promote or hinder pluralism.

Indicators

Legal Commitments

International Commitments

Note moyenne:6

While Sri Lanka falls short in upholding international legal standards, the country has ratified all major United Nation (UN) treaties and engages with monitoring bodies. National legislation tends to undermine these commitments and instead utilize them to persecute political opponents. These shortcomings highlight the gaps between international commitments and implementation.

National Commitments

Note moyenne:6

The Sri Lankan Constitution recognizes the state’s plural nature. This commitment has been upheld in the national legal framework, by incorporating traditional Sinhala and Tamil practices and statutes. Despite such provisions, the Constitution hints at a hierarchy of religion and language. Per the Constitution, Sri Lanka’s first official language is Sinhala and Buddhism occupies a privileged position.

Inclusive Citizenship

Note moyenne:8

Although the law makes no distinction between citizens of Sri Lanka, this is not the experience in practice. There is a sense among minorities that being Sinhalese Buddhist trumps being Sri Lankan, due to the privileges afforded to them. Additionally, between 1948-1988, citizenship rights were routinely denied to Tamils. Although this was reversed, Tamils’ living conditions remain negatively affected.

Practices

Policy Implemntation

Note moyenne:6

Policies that prioritize the majority community and policies of ethno-nationalist populism undermine Sri Lanka’s efforts for pluralism. There is limited access to government services in the two official languages. Most services operate in Sinhala, and Tamil speakers who are socio-economically marginalized face additional obstacles by not speaking Sinhala. While the law is non-discriminatory, women, especially Muslim women, are impacted by patriarchal policies.

Data Collection

Note moyenne:5

Sri Lanka’s overall data collection is of commendable quality. Demographic census data provides information on ethnicity and religion, education, migration, etc. Despite this comprehensive data collection, there is a lack of data on group-based inequalities. Additionally, as policies get made on the national level, there is no regard to how they might impact ethno-religious groups.

Claims-making and Contestation

Note moyenne:6

The right to protest is constitutionally protected in Sri Lanka. While effective claims-making helps legitimize peoples’ concerns, the privileging of the majority group’s concerns also impacts the claims’ outcomes. The government tends to only respond to claims from Sinhalese Buddhists. Claims-making, thus, can lead to minorities feeling a lack of power.

Leadership for Pluralism

Political Parties

Note moyenne:5

All parties in Sri Lanka embrace pluralism, but some party platforms prioritize the majority group. Tamil parties tend to promote nationalism, while Muslim parties have pushed to reform the country’s political party system. Political corruption is present across all levels of politics, but especially in local and provincial levels. At higher levels of government, dynastic politics (many generations of the same family in politics) has become increasingly common.

News Media: Representation (A)

Note moyenne:6

Sri Lankan media operates in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English, but they often operate in silos, at the expense of pluralism. For example, Sinhala language media focuses on Sinhalese concerns. Tamil media provides space for issues impacting the Tamil community. Finally, English language media tends to be more pluralist, but its reach is limited.

News Media: Prominence of Pluralistic Actors (B)

Note moyenne:4

Most media promote government narratives that minimize minority grievances and experiences. The media not only furthers majority interests, it also contributes to silencing minority communities. The media also ensures that armed forces are portrayed favorably. This results in minorities feeling unable to criticize the military, despite being disproportionately targeted by them.

Civil Society

Note moyenne:6

There is considerable pluralism within Sri Lanka’s civil society. Sri Lanka has laws that protect freedom of association and expression, and people are generally accepting of differences. This means that polarization, as in other areas of society, is not so extreme. Although non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations are typically pro-democracy, they are seen as opponents by the government.

Private Sector

Note moyenne:6

Sri Lanka’s private sector is hardly a vocal supporter of pluralism. There are two general groupings for businesses: large companies and small private businesses. Small private businesses have notably contributed to weakening pluralism. Most small trader establishments tend to hire from their own communities. In turn, this reinforces societal divisions along ethno-religious lines.

Group-based Inequalities

Political

Note moyenne:6

Sri Lankans value their vote and vote in high numbers. The country holds mainly free and fair polls with all communities having the freedom to vote. Ramped up militarization may prevent some Tamils from voting in the northeast. Despite there being many multi-ethnic parties, it is still difficult to envision a non-Buddhist becoming president.

Economic

Note moyenne:5

Most wealth is accumulated in the Western Province, while rural areas fare worse. For example, Indian Tamils have been disproportionately impacted by economic inequality, as a consequence of the civil war. Additionally, Tamil women are often hired as tea pickers or garment factory workers. They are often exploited and disempowered by low wages.

Social

Note moyenne:7

Sri Lanka has a comprehensive social welfare program. Whenever social programs are threatened to be cut back or privatized, this leads to widespread protests. Recently, Sri Lanka has allocated more resources towards military spending, with the health sector being the most negatively impacted. Despite this, there is free access to education across the island, although the quality of education is not equal.

Cultural

Note moyenne:7

Sri Lankans celebrate all aspects of their culture openly and all major religious festivals are national holidays. However, since the civil war, anti-Muslim rhetoric has increased because Islam has been seen as a threat to the Buddhist majority. In short, while religious minorities are able to celebrate their heritage, this can only be done without offending the majority sentiment.

Access to Justice

Note moyenne:5

Access to justice is characterized by legal delays, an uneven court system, political interference and corruption at the lower courts levels. Sri Lankan Courts have cemented the privileged position of the Sinhalese Buddhist population and allowed for the discrimination of religious minorities. For example, Muslims are disproportionately impacted and taken into custody for the slightest suspicion.

Intergroup Relations and Belonging

Intergroup Violence

Note moyenne:5

Nearly every group has experienced intergroup violence in Sri Lanka, following the civil war. Politicians have used intergroup violence to advance their careers and popularity. For the most part, intergroup violence has been stoked by ethno-religious nationalism. Overall, marginalized groups suffer disproportionately when it comes to violence.

Intergroup Trust

Note moyenne:5

There is low inter-group trust in Sri Lanka. The scarcity of resources has been used to sow discord among Tamils and Muslims. This is most prevalent in the northeast region, where both groups are present. Inter-group trust is also impacted by the Sinhalese, who feel threatened by the large population of Tamils who surround them.

Trust in Institutions

Note moyenne:5

Corruption has diminished the efficient nature of Sri Lanka’s public institutions. Public sector jobs are increasingly popular, as people see them as opportunities to benefit from corruption. The lack of minority representation in institutions has resulted in them experiencing unequal treatment. Overall, the decay of the island’s public institutions has impacted all, resulting in diminished pluralism.

Inclusion and Acceptance

Note moyenne:5

Sri Lanka’s religious communities operate in a state of relative freedom. There are two main findings regarding majoritarianism (prioritizing the majority). First, Sinhalese believe it is fine for Buddhism to be provided the foremost place in the Constitution, because they benefit from this. Second, in areas where minorities predominate, they also tend to adopt a majoritarian mindset. This can result in exclusionary treatment to those belonging to other groups.

Shared Ownership of Society

Note moyenne:5

In Sri Lanka, ethno-religious minorities do not feel that they are an equal part of society. Sri Lanka has reached a point where ethnicity outranks citizenship. Most groups, particularly Muslims and Buddhists, prefer to live among themselves, as opposed to among other groups. Overall, there is a sense of unequal citizenship that impacts all, regardless of class or gender.