Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, gained independence from British rule on February 4, 1948. This marked the transition from being a British colony to being a sovereign nation within the Commonwealth. The first Prime Minister was D.S. Senanayake, and the country retained its dominion status under the British monarchy until it became a republic in 1972. The independence movement had been growing since the early 20th century, with key figures advocating for self-rule. The process was mostly peaceful, and the transfer of power was amicable. Since independence, Sri Lanka has undergone numerous political changes and has faced challenges such as ethnic tensions and economic development.

On April 5, 1956, the Sri Lankan parliament passed the Official Language Act, commonly known as the Sinhala Only Act, which made Sinhala the sole official language of the country, replacing English. This legislative act was a key moment in Sri Lanka's post-independence history and had significant implications for ethnic relations in the country. The law was intended to promote a national identity but was met with resistance from the Tamil-speaking minority, who felt marginalized. It led to widespread protests and tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities. The act contributed to decades of ethnic conflict and is considered one of the catalysts for the eventual civil war.

On May 22, 1972, Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, officially became a republic, renaming itself as the Republic of Sri Lanka and adopting a new constitution. This significant political shift marked the end of dominion status under the British monarchy, established when the country gained independence in 1948. With the new constitution, Queen Elizabeth II was removed as the head of state, and a president was established as the executive head of government. This transition was part of a broader movement towards national self-determination and the assertion of national identity. The change also included cultural shifts and emphasized Buddhism as Sri Lanka's primary religion.

The Sri Lankan Civil War was an armed conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. On July 23, 1983, considered the start of the war, a deadly ambush by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on Sri Lankan soldiers led to a violent backlash against Tamil civilians by the Sinhalese majority. This escalation marked the beginning of a brutal civil war that lasted until 2009. The ethnic conflict arose from tensions between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils, who sought an independent Tamil state. The war resulted in significant loss of life, human rights abuses, and displacement of populations. It remained a deeply divisive and traumatic period in the nation's history.

On May 21, 1991, former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in the town of Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, India. The assassin, Dhanu, was a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant organization based in Sri Lanka. Gandhi was targeted due to his decision to send Indian Peace Keeping Forces to Sri Lanka in 1987 to help enforce a peace accord between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil militants. The assassination had profound effects on Indian politics, regional security, and international counter-terrorism strategies. It highlighted the reach and impact of the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict beyond its borders.

On December 26, 2004, Sri Lanka was hit hard by the Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The tsunami was triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. It caused widespread devastation along Sri Lanka's coastline, killing over 30,000 people and displacing tens of thousands more. Entire communities were destroyed, and the disaster had a profound impact on Sri Lanka's economy and infrastructure. International aid flowed into the country to assist in recovery efforts. The disaster highlighted the need for better disaster preparedness and early warning systems in the region.

The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) has been a significant marker in the economic relationship between the two countries. While the agreement was signed in 1998 and came into effect on March 2000, it has been pivotal over the years, particularly marked by a critical phase in bilateral trade in 2009 when significant discussions and enhancement of the agreement took place. The FTA led to the reduction of trade barriers, allowing for increased exchange of goods and services. It bolstered the economic ties, leading to an escalation in trade volumes and investment from India into Sri Lanka. However, the agreement has also faced criticism and calls for renegotiation to address trade imbalances.

The Sri Lankan Civil War, which lasted for over 25 years, officially ended on May 18, 2009, when the Sri Lankan military defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The final assault took place in the northeastern part of the country, leading to the death of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and a significant portion of his leadership. The war's end was marked by allegations of human rights abuses by both sides, particularly during the final stages of the conflict. The end of the war opened the door to rebuilding and reconciliation efforts but also left deep scars and unresolved ethnic tensions in the country.

On April 21, 2019, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks took place across Sri Lanka. Suicide bombers struck three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa, killing approximately 269 people and injuring hundreds more. The bombings were carried out by a local radical Islamist group with ties to ISIS. The attacks shocked the nation and the world, leading to increased security measures and a crackdown on extremist groups within the country. A state of emergency was declared, and the government faced criticism over its failure to act on intelligence warnings. The tragedy highlighted vulnerabilities in national security and the need for religious harmony.

In 2022, Sri Lanka experienced widespread protests due to an unprecedented economic crisis characterized by severe shortages of essential goods, fuel, and medicine. On July 9, 2022, protesters stormed key government buildings, including the presidential residence and offices. The situation was sparked by allegations of government mismanagement and corruption, exacerbating the financial crisis. Eventually, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed as acting president. The protests were largely peaceful, but some incidents of violence and vandalism were reported. The events highlighted the citizens' frustration and demand for political and economic reform.