Why Sri Lanka Tamils Are Protesting Militarization, A Deep Dive into Persistent Tensions

Why Sri Lanka Tamils Are Protesting Militarization, A Deep Dive into Persistent Tensions

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On August 18, Sri Lanka’s prominent Tamil party, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadehi (ITAK), called a symbolic hartal (shutdown) across the Tamil-majority Northern and Eastern Provinces to protest the ongoing militarization of these regions. The protest was triggered by the recent killing of a young Tamil man, Ethirimanasingham Kapilraj, in Mullaitivu district, allegedly by military personnel. This incident has reignited long-standing grievances about the oppressive presence of the Sri Lankan military in areas historically affected by the civil war, underscoring deeper issues of security sector reform, economic marginalization, and human rights.

Introduction

Sixteen years after the end of Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war, which pitted government forces against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Northern and Eastern Provinces remain heavily militarized. For the Tamil community, this persistent military presence is a daily reminder of unresolved trauma and systemic marginalization. The recent hartal, though symbolic, reflects a broader demand for demilitarization, accountability, and meaningful political solutions. This article examines the historical context, current triggers, economic implications, and international perspectives surrounding militarization in Sri Lanka’s Tamil regions, while also exploring pathways to justice and reconciliation.

Historical Context: The Legacy of Civil War

The Sri Lankan civil war (1983–2009) was one of Asia’s longest-running conflicts, rooted in ethnic tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. The war culminated in a brutal military offensive that crushed the LTTE but also resulted in widespread allegations of human rights violations, including the killing of tens of thousands of civilians. Since the war’s end, the government has maintained a significant military presence in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, citing security concerns. However, for Tamils, this presence symbolizes ongoing oppression and the failure of the state to address their political and economic aspirations.

Key Events Post-War

• 2009–2015: Under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the military expanded its role in the north and east, engaging in reconstruction and governance but also accused of land grabs, surveillance, and intimidation.

• 2015–2019: The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government promised demilitarization and reconciliation but made limited progress.

• 2019–Present: President Ranil Wickremesinghe, also serving as Defence Minister, has prioritized economic recovery but largely ignored Tamil demands for security sector reform.

The Trigger: Killing of Ethirimanasingham Kapilraj

The immediate catalyst for the hartal was the death of 22-year-old Ethirimanasingham Kapilraj in Mullaitivu district. Kapilraj was allegedly attacked by soldiers from a nearby army camp. His killing sparked outrage among Tamils, who see it as part of a pattern of unchecked military violence. The ITAK demanded an “unhindered, thorough investigation” and highlighted the “oppressive conduct and excessive presence of the military” in the region. While the government promised an investigation and arrested three soldiers, trust in state mechanisms remains low due to a history of impunity.

Extent of Military Presence: Data and Observations

Although specific data on military camps and troop numbers are not publicly available, the presence of uniformed personnel is visibly higher in the Northern and Eastern Provinces compared to other parts of Sri Lanka. Key aspects of this militarization include:

1. Proliferation of Military Camps and Checkpoints

• In districts like Mullaitivu, the site of the war’s final battle, military personnel routinely man traffic junctions and checkpoints, conducting vehicle inspections that many Tamils find intrusive and humiliating.

• A 2017 report by the Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research, titled Normalising the Abnormal: The Militarisation of Mullaitivu District, documented over 50 military camps in Mullaitivu alone, despite its small population and geographic size.

2. Economic Militarization

• The military operates numerous businesses, including hotels, restaurants, farms, and tourism ventures, directly competing with local entrepreneurs. This economic involvement not only undermines Tamil livelihoods but also perpetuates dependency and resentment.

• For example, the military-run “Civil Security Department” engages in agriculture, retail, and even fishing, sectors that are critical for Tamil economic recovery.

3. Surveillance and Intimidation

• Military intelligence units maintain a robust surveillance apparatus, monitoring political activities, civil society organizations, and even everyday interactions. This creates a climate of fear and stifles dissent.

• Tamil parliamentarians and activists report being routinely harassed, followed, and questioned by security forces.

Government’s Stance: Between Reform and Rhetoric

The Sri Lankan government has acknowledged the need for security sector reform but has taken minimal concrete action. Key points include:

1. Military Downsizing Plans

• President Wickremesinghe announced plans to downsize the military by 2030, reducing its strength from about 200,000 to 100,000 personnel. However, this timeline is seen as inadequate by Tamil leaders and activists.

2. Budgetary Allocations

• The 2024 budget allocated LKR 442 billion (approximately $1.5 billion) to the Ministry of Defence, significantly more than allocations for education or healthcare.

• Colombo-based think tank Verité Research noted that expenditure on uniforms and diets in the defence sector is projected to increase by 258% compared to 2022.

3. Economic Priorities

• Despite Sri Lanka’s severe economic crisis, military spending remains high. As retired Major General Dr. Boniface Perera observed, Sri Lanka spends nearly 2% of its GDP on the military—an extraordinarily high amount for a country facing no existential security threat.

International Perspectives and Human Rights Concerns

The international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly raised concerns about militarization in Sri Lanka’s Tamil regions.

UN Human Rights Office Report (2024)

• The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted: “Sixteen years after the war ended, meaningful and comprehensive security sector reform is yet to take place. Consequently, the surveillance apparatus, especially in the north and east, has remained largely intact, with minimal oversight.”

• It urged the Sri Lankan government to “avoid involvement of military in law enforcement, commercial activities, and civil affairs and significantly reduce military presence in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.”

Recommendations

• Demilitarize the north and east and transfer land back to civilian ownership.

• Ensure accountability for wartime and post-war human rights violations.

• Implement meaningful security sector reform with oversight from civilian institutions.

Tamil Political Response: From Hartal to Hopeful Resistance

The ITAK-led hartal reflects the Tamil community’s frustration with the status quo. However, political divisions within the Tamil polity have sometimes weakened their collective bargaining power. While the ITAK and other parties demand demilitarization and political autonomy, differences over strategies and alliances have hampered unified action.

Key Demands of Tamil Parties

1. Demilitarization: Withdrawal of military from civilian spaces and an end to economic militarization.

2. Accountability: Justice for wartime atrocities and post-war abuses.

3. Political Solution: Implementation of the 13th Amendment (which devolves powers to provinces) and beyond, to ensure meaningful autonomy.

Economic and Social Impact of Militarization

The military’s pervasive presence has profound economic and social consequences:

1. Economic Displacement

• Military-run businesses outcompete local entrepreneurs, who lack resources and state support. For instance, military-owned hotels and farms receive preferential access to land, resources, and contracts.

• This economic marginalization exacerbates poverty and unemployment in regions already devastated by war.

2. Psychological Trauma

• For war-affected communities, the constant visibility of armed soldiers triggers trauma and anxiety, hindering reconciliation and healing.

• Youth like Kapilraj grow up in an environment where the military is both an occupier and an economic competitor, fueling resentment.

3. Erosion of Social Fabric

• Militarization disrupts traditional social structures and community governance, as military officials often interfere in local decision-making.

• Cultural and religious practices are sometimes monitored or restricted, further alienating Tamils.

Pathways to Demilitarization and Reconciliation

Addressing militarization requires a multi-faceted approach:

1. Security Sector Reform

• Reduce military size and budget, reallocating resources to social sectors.

• Transfer policing responsibilities to civilian authorities in the north and east.

• Establish independent oversight mechanisms to prevent human rights abuses.

2. Economic Justice

• Return military-occupied land to its rightful owners.

• Support local businesses through grants, loans, and technical assistance.

• End military involvement in commercial activities.

3. Political Solutions

• Fully implement the 13th Amendment and explore federalist models for power-sharing.

• Engage Tamil parties in meaningful dialogue to address historical grievances.

4. International Engagement

• Leverage international pressure and assistance to ensure compliance with human rights standards.

• Support transitional justice processes, including truth-seeking and reparations.

Conclusion

The hartal in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern Provinces is more than a protest against one killing; it is a cry for justice, dignity, and demilitarization. For Tamil communities, the military’s pervasive presence is a barrier to reconciliation, economic recovery, and political progress. The Sri Lankan government must move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to address these grievances, ensuring that the north and east are governed by civilian institutions, not military force. Only then can Sri Lanka truly heal from the wounds of war and build a inclusive future for all its citizens.

5 Questions and Answers

Q1: What triggered the recent hartal in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern Provinces?
A: The hartal was triggered by the killing of 22-year-old Ethirimanasingham Kapilraj in Mullaitivu district, allegedly by military personnel. It symbolized broader protests against militarization and oppression.

Q2: How does the military engage in economic activities in Tamil regions?
A: The military runs businesses such as hotels, restaurants, farms, and tourism ventures, competing with local entrepreneurs and exacerbating economic marginalization.

Q3: What has the UN said about militarization in Sri Lanka?
A: The UN Human Rights Office urged Sri Lanka to reduce military presence in the north and east, end military involvement in commercial activities, and implement security sector reform.

Q4: What are the key demands of Tamil political parties?
A: They demand demilitarization, accountability for human rights violations, and a political solution that ensures autonomy for Tamil-majority regions.

Q5: How does militarization impact Tamil communities?
A: It causes economic displacement, psychological trauma, and erosion of social fabric, hindering reconciliation and development.