Language policy was a **major catalyst** for Tamil political mobilisation in Sri Lanka. The 1956 **Sinhala Only Act**, which made Sinhala the sole official language, was widely seen by Tamils as institutional discrimination. It affected access to: – **government employment**, where Sinhala proficiency became increasingly important; – **education and examinations**, including university admission and public-sector […]

Perceived discrimination creates a **shared sense of injustice**, encouraging people to unite around common ethnic, linguistic, religious, or regional identities. Community leaders and organisations can transform these grievances into political campaigns demanding equal rights, resources, representation, or autonomy. It can also intensify political conflict by: – weakening trust in state institutions; – increasing support for […]