This book traces the poignant history of Tamils in Sri Lanka after independence.It catalogues the Sri Lankan Tamils’ descent from a once thriving vibrant Nation to one that is today fighting for its very survival. This is a story about how a majority population consumed with religious chauvinism can corrupt a democratic process with untold consequences.The book is organised into three sections covering the physical harm suffered by the Tamil community, the destruction of their cultural heritage and the attempts at negotiating a settlement which has come to nothing. The book also strikes a hopeful note at the end on how lasting peace can be achieved from the rubble of destruction. The reader is likely to find some images depicting examples of violence difficult and is left to imagine the suffering endured by not only the victims but also their families and communities over the years. Unlike the usual Sri Lankan state sponsored propaganda material that is normally seen on the international news media, this is refreshingly narrated from a Tamil perspective - one that rarely gets an airing on the worldstage. A reader with limited time and interest, used to the democratic system in theWestern world with its checks and balances tends to give credibility to a government’s statements over any other. In Sri Lanka, the reality is far from the ‘truth’ claimed by its Government. By systematically documenting the key events, this book is bound to add to the reader’s knowledge of what Tamils in Sri Lanka have endured post independence in 1948."
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