The 2020 South Asia State of Minorities Report highlights the ongoing struggles faced by ethno-religious minorities in Sri Lanka, particularly the Muslim, Tamil, and Christian communities, within an environment of shrinking civic space and growing authoritarianism.
Political Context and Erosion of Civic Space
Historically, Sri Lanka has seen periods of repression against minority communities, particularly during times when civil liberties and the space for civil society activism were also under attack. During Mahinda Rajapaksa’s rule (2004-2015), minorities faced widespread discrimination, and violence was exacerbated by the crackdown on civic dissent. This situation slightly improved after the election of President Maithripala Sirisena in 2015, but the later stages of the Yahapalanaya (good governance) regime saw renewed restrictions on civic space. When Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected in 2019, the situation worsened again, with concerns rising over the return of authoritarian practices.
Impact on Minority Communities
The report illustrates that minority communities, particularly Muslims and Tamils, continue to face targeted discrimination, marginalization, and violence, often with little to no accountability for perpetrators.
- Muslim Community:
Muslims, especially after the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, faced a resurgence of anti-Muslim rhetoric, violence, and state-supported impunity for perpetrators. The situation worsened under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime, with state officials and media propagating discriminatory narratives against Muslims, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government enforced a controversial regulation that prevented the burial of COVID-19 victims, forcing cremations, which went against Islamic practices. This sparked widespread outrage among the Muslim community. Additionally, the arbitrary arrest of Muslim lawyers and activists further exemplified the state’s discriminatory stance against this minority. - Tamil Community:
Although the civil war ended in 2009, Tamils still face unresolved grievances, including the lack of accountability for war crimes, ongoing land disputes, and continued militarization in Tamil-majority areas. The government’s failure to return military-occupied land to rightful Tamil owners and the appointment of alleged war criminals to high-ranking military positions demonstrate the deep-seated challenges Tamils face in seeking justice and reconciliation. - Christian Community:
The Christian community, especially evangelicals, have also faced violations of their rights, with frequent incidents of violence, threats, and intimidation often driven by local Buddhist clergy. In many cases, these violations occur with the tacit approval of local authorities, who either fail to protect the victims or are directly involved in the acts of discrimination.
Conclusion
The report makes it clear that the minority rights situation in Sri Lanka is deteriorating, exacerbated by the curtailing of civic space and increasing authoritarian practices. The resurgence of ethno-nationalism, state-sanctioned discrimination, and impunity for violence against minorities highlight the urgent need for reforms and international pressure to ensure the protection of minority rights and the restoration of democracy in Sri Lanka【8†source】.
