Theoretical Reflections of Tamil Ethnic Conflicts in Sri Lanka and Rohyngya Group in Myanmar

Abstract

Bangladesh was praised internationally for sheltering the fleeing Rohingyas. But, there was little international involvement in the repatriation process. The roles of its friendly countries, China, India, Russia, Japan, the regional economic and military powers, have been disappointing. The role of China, in particular, is crucial. Bangladesh government lacked diplomatic skills to convince the international community, including its friends, to get them involved in multilateral negotiation and, to create pressure on Myanmar.

One school claims that ethnic and national identities are constituted by common objective pre-existing characteristics, such as language, race, religion etc. These characteristics are shared and constitute the basis of unity of people, and distinguish from other people with different characteristics. Another view perceives ethnicity and nationality as ideologically socially constructed and, politically manipulated by elites for control over resources and privileges. Thus language, religion, and territorial affinity acquire their importance when they are used as a basis for awareness creation and social mobilization. The Tamils in Sri Lanka are an example.

Keywords: politically manipulated, repatriation, Rohingyas, Tamils