of the Origins of the Communities of Sri Lanka among the Contemporary Sinhalese
by Jeyaseelan Gnanaseelan, University of Vavuniya, Melbourne Australia Nov 29-30, 2017, 19 (11) Part XIV
A_Qualitative_Analysis_on_Historicizing
Abstract—
In the post-war reconciliation context, the Sri
Lankans need to develop constructive discourse on political harmony,
cohesion and co-habitation to make a positive impact on legislative
changes towards post-conflict reconciliation, sustainable peace and
justice. Ideological discourse constitutes power in constructing
ideational, textual and interpersonal constructs for legitimizing power
in society. This paper qualitatively analyses the exemplified
discourse extracts of some prominent contemporary Sinhalese, which
represent majoritarianism and ethno-nationalism regarding the origins
of the Sinhala and Tamil communities and the consequent status
availed to their existence in Sri Lanka. The study focuses, with the
historiographical evidence, on whether such discourse has been a part
of the problem or a part of the solution to the protracted, historically
constructed Sri Lankan conflict. It finds out the continuation of such
persistent and reiterated linguistically embedded ethno-centric
ideological and attitudinal positions even now, which need to be
addressed. This paper recommends awareness creation among the
public about the true, scientifically derived historical information on
the origins, evolution and inter-community co-existence and conflict
of the two communities so that a durable solution can be reached in
the long run. Abstract