Very Short Question and Answers - Sri Lanka

Q 1.

What percentage of the Sri Lankan population was Sinhalese after independence in 1948?

Ans:

Approximately 70%.

Q 2.

What was the language primarily spoken by the Sri Lankan Tamils?

Ans:

Tamil.

Q 3.

Which act passed in 1956 made Sinhala the only official language of Sri Lanka?

Ans:

The Sinhala Only Act.

Q 4.

What percentage of the population did Indian Tamils represent in Sri Lanka's community distribution post-independence?

Ans:

About 5%.

Q 5.

What defines majoritarianism in a country?

Ans:

The idea that the majority community should have the power to make decisions for everyone, often leading to dominance over minority groups.

Q 6.

What was the main cause of the Sri Lankan Civil War?

Ans:

Ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority.

Q 7.

What does LTTE stand for?

Ans:

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Q 8.

In what year did the Sri Lankan Civil War officially begin?

Ans:

Q 9.

What was a significant event that occurred in 1991 related to the LTTE?

Ans:

The assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Q 10.

Which ethnic group was primarily affected by the Sinhala Only Act?

Ans:

The Tamil communities.

Q 11.

What were the main activities of the LTTE during the civil war?

Ans:

Carrying out bombings, assassinations, and battles against the government.

Q 12.

What was a major consequence of the government’s policies post-independence on the Tamil community?

Ans:

It led to anger, protests, and eventually armed conflict.

Q 13.

How many people are estimated to have died during the Sri Lankan Civil War?

Ans:

Between 80,000 to 100,000 people.

Q 14.

Name one effect of the civil war on the economy of Sri Lanka.

Ans:

The economy suffered due to prolonged conflict.

Q 15.

What is the religious majority among the Sinhalese community?

Ans:

Mostly Buddhist.

Q 16.

Which ethnolinguistic group in Sri Lanka was spread across the country but especially in the East?

Ans:

The Moors (Sri Lankan Muslims).

Q 17.

What was the outcome of the war in 2009?

Ans:

The government defeated the LTTE and ended the war.

Q 18.

In terms of educational policies, how were Tamil students affected?

Ans:

University admissions policies were changed to favor Sinhalese students, making it harder for Tamil students to gain entry.

Q 19.

What was a major policy change for Indian Tamils in the context of citizenship?

Ans:

They were initially denied citizenship, even if they had lived in Sri Lanka for generations.

Q 20.

What is an effect of majoritarianism on social relations in Sri Lanka?

Ans:

It created divisions among communities and sustained ethnic tensions.

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