Ethnic identity of the Malayaga Tamil people

Ethnic identity of the Malayaga Tamil people °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° ° ******** Ira. Shadagopan, Attorney At Law, Chairman, Upcountry Peoples Development Research Foundation. In recent times There has been fierce debate in the print and electronic media and on social media regarding identification of upcountryTamil people and What shall be the name given to the upcountry Tamil people of Sri Lanka . During this discussion The questions asked are, Are they Indian origin Tamils of Sri Lanka ? or Sri Lankan upcountry Tamil people ? or Srilankan Tamils ? These people have the history of the last two hundred years in Sri Lanka (1823 - 2023). In this 200-year history over the period of 175 years until the ntroduction of an open economy in 1977 by the then Sri Lankan President JR Jayawardene, initially Coffee followed by tea, rubber, coconut and cocoa . As a separate community engaged in above cultivation Earned national income and foreign exchange for the country and it's people. But They were always kept in poverty by the respective governments that ruled this country without ever paying them their due wages. This is throughout history, ungreatness has been inflicted on them onan unfair way. With this in mind, now they should take up struggles to fight for there legitimate rights and reorganize their lives and especially to make themselves belong to this country calling themselves " Ilangai malayaga thamil makkal " ( Srilankan malayaga tamil people ). Theory of Ethnic Nationality Ethnic groups inhabiting in any country have their own distinct language, constitute a substantial population, To have their own artistic and cultural values, to have a land area to live in, and to have an economy under their control and If features It is said that they can declare themselves as a separate nationality and get themselves recognized by the constitution of that country. Moreover, if that mass of people will consciously believe that they are a separate nationality, that alone is enough to recognize themselves as a separate nationality. The above theory asserts that there can be causality. If so, these malayaga tamil community can be identified as a separate ethnic Tamil people as Srilankan malayaga tamil people. Than a question arises as to who is the mass of people who can be called as malayaga thamilar. The answer to this question will be as follows:- 1 ). The first coffee plantation in the country was established in 1823 For business in that coffee plantation when set up , the first batch of workers brought in were " plantation workers of Indian origin ". After that gradually those who came to this country and settled here and also theirs descendants. I myself and the late Prof. Cho. Chandrasekaran According to a study conducted by both of us, it was predicted that more than 20 generations of malayaga Tamil people of Indian origin have lived and perished in the country within last two hundred years. 2 ). Those who call themselves malayaga tamils and conciensly Inhabited malayagam as their motherland and live In various parts of the country and call themsellves as Malaya Tamil people of Indian origin. 3) Indians residing abroad within the above definition All descents of upcountry Tamil people fall within this definition of "Sri Lankan malayaga Tamil People " is a non geographical term ( Not Mountain based ) but , It is a political theory to be delineated. "Malayaga Tamil Ethnicity " is not a geographical but "It is apolitical doctrine." °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° By 2015, the government is involved in reforming the political system and creating a new constitution based on the recognition of the rights of ethnic groups through the devolution of state power and to find a solution to the national ethnic problem. It also sought written suggestions from all concerned parties For that purpose, and then various organizations and parties had started submitting their suggestions there. We have assembled a considerable number of malyaga lawyers under the coordination of Senior Attorney at law E. Thambiah , We organized some discussions to present our suggestions on Economic scio issues , Governance , Education and Health, Land, Housing etc. During the discussion. I made the following suggestions and everyone agreed what I prayed :- ( 1 ) The Sri Lankan upcountry Tamil people , I have already defined above to be recognized as a separate nationality and here after in all documents relating to them shall be recorded under this heading (Srilankan Upcountry Tamil People) should be pointed out. (.2 ). It is to be framed as an Act of Parliament ,and Submit in Parliament and obtain legal approval. When this proposal was submitted, at the forum, there was a questionthat has arisen from many people is whether the upcountry is the "hill country". And so there is only a geographical area For the hill country people, it will not include Tamils of Indian origin living in outside " hill country" and How to subdue the Tamils of Indian origin people living in Colombo, North East and other areas . The place where the malayaga Tamil people first came and set foot was called "Kandich Seemai". It is malayagam . That is where they have been concentrated for the past 200 years.malayagam is the motherland of these people . After that only they went to other places for their respective jobs. So even those living in other regions or elsewhere can associate themselves with the malayagam . What is important about this is that it is Not a geographical theory. It should be considered as a political theory or ideology. Those who do not live in the upcountry and living In areas like North East, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kurunegala, Kalutara, Galle, Matara etc.. Even though the inhabitants recognize the malayagam as their ROOT territory , They should come forward to join in this concept . Even those who have not come forward to participate in this concept if they wish to do so, if this matter is accepted and approved by the Sri Lankan political system, then they should present themselves in order to get the benefits that can be obtained from it and Hopefully they will incorporate it into the definition later. In India a caste list called "Scheduled Caste" is kept in the constitution to provide privileges to lower castes . Other castes are also caste to get benefits under this arrangement . They get the caste certificates voluntarily. I am Coming to tell you here is something like that. And then this matter Subject to discussion and unanimously accepted during the said discussion . However, if you answer the question of who are the upcountry Tamil people, "They are South Indian Tamils of Indian origin " who came from india and settled here and There can be no denial or obstruction of identification. Therefore, this provision cannot be a hindrance in getting any help from India to these people. These people should Get rid of the identity of "people of Indian origin" which alienates this people from people of this country and It is for this reason that the ethnic identity theory of "Sri Lankan upcountry Tamil People" is proposed. Importance of maintaining Ethnic identity °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° If an ethnic group fails to maintain and protect its ethnic identity, it is There are many examples from history of extinction can be exemplified. All communities living in this country , All ethnic groups came from India at some historical time . There is much evidence in history that the settlers themselves came from India . The first historical man who landed in Sri Lanka was called Vijayan, along with 700 of his companions, was extradited by his father , the historical records says. During the subsequent 2600 years of history, there were many settlements from India time to time The Mahavamsa has marked . Among such immigrants The last settlers were the upcountry Tamil people. Malabar Race °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° The Malabar Inhabitants of Kerala, also known as "Malabaris ", were the widespread settlers of the Jaffna peninsula in the 16th and 17th centuries . They brought with them legal customs and social justice with the cultural traditions. During this period, the Portuguese Army commander who had been transferred from the Malabar country of Kerala and was appointed as the commander of the Jaffna peninsula, observed the mannerisms and language of these people and gave them the name of ' Malabar ' people and compiled the laws and customs that were in vogue among them as " Thesavalamai ". It is enough that the law of Thesavalamai in vogue in the Jaffna peninsula now, but since the ethnic group of "Malabar people" did not try to maintain their ethnic identity, they merged with the people of Jaffna and made the identity of Sri Lankan Tamils for themselves. Similarly, a migration of Malayalis from the Indian state of Kerala took place in the Eastern Province during the same period. The people of the area called the people who settled in this way as "Mukkuvar". These peoples also brought with them their cultural traditions, their rituals , their customs, their social morals, etc., and they put it in circulation. However, in the long run, they were not able to conserve and protect them and lost their ethnic identity as "Mukkuvar" by mixing with the local people. Even now, in some areas, Mukkuvar traditions, laws and Malayalam witchcraft rituals are in vogue. There are two divisions in the Sinhalese race °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° °°°°°°°° Those who learn Sri Lankan history know what has been happened Until recently there were two Sinhalese races in Sri Lanka .They were called Kandi Singhalese and Coastal Singhalese . The Kandian Singales called themselves as the upper class Sinhalese.And the Coastal Sinhalese were marginalized as low caste Sinhalese. In late 17th century Portuguese imperial regime government controlled the western coastal region of the country . A pearl harbour situated at a place called " Arippu " near Mannar in the north . This pearl harbor It was a trading port that worked 24 hours a day and night 365 days a year . The surrounding areas of this port had a population of 4 lakhs of people lived there. They are All had this port as their livelihood. This Many of the world's ports for pearl and other trade Merchant ships were coming and going from all parts of the world. Egypt was called "Yavanam " and Arabia was called Persia This includes Iran were among them . This port would then bring more revenue to the Portuguese than the port of Colombo It was a port wich atracted many people from the lower Coasts of South India , Kayalpattanam, Musiri and keelakkarai . Thousands of Tamils Muslim from the area saw business at the port. Hundreds of bathing whirlpools were came from the continent of Africa to catch pearl and do i business here. It was at such a time that a massive outbreak of "cholera" struck the region. A great epidemic began to spread very rapidly. shortly 100, 1000, then 100,000 in time died and falled victims to cholara . At the army controlled this port The commander also fell ill and soon died, losing control of the port the army ordered the remaining two lakhs of people from that area and they were asked to relocate to other places. As a result the Great Migration began. They were moved to down south and settlements were located in Kalpitiya , Puttalam, Silapam, Negombo, Moratuwa, Panadura, Kalutara and Matara. They themselves then. Lost their Tamil identity and became Coastal Sinhalese. Most of them belong to lower clans like Karayars, Paravars, Bharatavas, Saluvars etc. Because they did not want to maintain their ethnic identity. In Sinhala they were called Karava, Durava and Salava Etc. However If we look for their origin, they are Tamils will become apparent. Indian Sonakars who migrated along with them got Muslim identity settled in places like Benthota, Jinthota, Beruwala are still existing . A famous Sinhala poetess named "Gajaman Nona" who lived among them was a Tamil woman and her real name was Isabella Cornolis Elizabeth Perumal analysts also refer to it. Another major event took place in the history of Sri Lanka during this period. The British Empire after a brief war acquired the coastal territories of Sri Lanka from the Portuguese The Portuguese rushed out of Sri Lanka when the British conquered it . They were forced to leave. At that time their army consisted of more than 25 thousand "Tamil mercenaries". in addition to Portuguese soldiers . When the Portuguese army commander wanted to disband this mercenary force, and made arranged marrages between the above "Tamil mercenaries" and thousands of young women who were used for the soldiers' sexual needs during that period .And Given them Portuguese surnames such as De Silva, Fernando, Perera, De Soyza, Gregoris, Setharis etc. and settled0 them in areas like Moratuwa, Pananturai and Kalutara. They got land and houses and settled them widely there. They also lost their "Indian Tamil'" identity over time and got the coastal Sinhala identity. Again In recent times they lost their " coastal Sinhala identity" and became common Sinhala people. Sri Lankan Malayalis °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° Similarly, a historical example can be shown in 1918 In the years that followed, various industries in the country declined due to a global economic depression. In Port of Colombo, Railway Department and many industries , There was a reduction in labor on the boards. Thus Sinhala , A large number of workers lost their jobs. As more Malayalis were employed in the above industries, that period of time who was a famous trade union leader A.E . Gunasinghe at that time raised the slogan that Sinhala workers are losing their jobs because of more Malayalis were employed in the above industries, this. E . Gunasinghe also held many protests demanding the Malayalis to leave the country. Violence against Malayalie workers also took place. A bill was passed in Parliament to expel them from the country. As it was the law was brought and implemented, about 20,000 Malayalam workers were expelled from the country. Because of this fear, after some time the Malayalies hide their ethnic identity as Malayali and became Sinhalese. They learned the Sinhala language while keeping their names and became Sinhalese. Even now Malayalam names like kuruppu , Hemachandra, Victoria, Miranda, Singapuli, Venkapuli are mingled with Sinhala and Browsing among the people. FACTORS FOR REFUSAL TO ACCEPT THE IDENTITY OF INDIAN ORIGIN ************************************** ** Because of the Tamil people called themselves as Indians... (a) The United National Party government in 1948 , they raised the slogan that the INDIAN ORIGIN people should all go to India and by bringing an expropriation law and taking away the rights of citizens and voting rights and making them stateless. There was a fear that people of Indian origin might join forces with the left parties and take over the government of this country. (b) In 1964 Sirimawo Banda ayala and lalBagsdur Shastri established an agreement named Indo - lankan pact and made 7 out of 10 of these people should go to India . Arrangements were made to send seven lakh people to India. (c) In 1945, the second world war took place A bomb was to be dropped on the port of Colombo . At that time, all the Tamil traders in the outskirts of Colombo and pettah closed their shops and went to India for safety. This resulted in food shortage in the country. " They are like this People who ran away from the country at a time of crisis, no patriotism that they are destitute and that they should be sent to India " The United National Party Member of Parliament at that time Former Finance Minister J. R. Jayawardena said in Parliament and The address is recorded in Hansard the Parliamentary Record Book. (D) in 1945 C. W. W. Kannangara who held the post of Minister of Education in the Government when he introduced free education for this country, He denied free education for Children studying in Estate schools because they were Indian origin , they did not have free education. (E ) In 1971 when the youth was prepared for the April uprising JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera said in his lecture are seen that our neighbor India based Sri Lanka on the basis of "Indian Expansionism". It is this that India is watching the moment to invade srilanka and It is interfering in the internal affairs of this country by pretending to care about the welfare of the 11 lakhs of Indians living in the country. So to prevent this country from being invaded by India If you want, Indian Tamils should be chased to India " Records noted that he has At one time J. V. P. Hatred the Indian people. That hatred is still deeply embedded in the hearts of the Sinhalese people. ( f ) These people till yesterday , because these people are Indians In this country, land rights are denied and treated like slaves . They were only allowed to live in " line rooms " as orphans. (G ) Up to 1990, the children of these people were should not pass the G.C.E (O/L. ). examination and pursue higher education . That one Due to this idea, they carefully made sure that mathematics and science teachers were not appointed to the schools where they were educated.Still this problem persists . (A) Even now , other workers of this country are , When they get 2500 rupees as daily salary, the majority of the people never join together and give them at least 1000 rupees as wages. (I) What was the reason that , Ceylon Workers Congress which was functioning under the name of Ceylon Indian Congress thought that it was not appropriate to use that name anymore and changed it to Ceylon Workers Congress ? Many more factors can be cited regarding this. It is observed when observing the trade and economic phenomena between India and Sri Lanka , the Indian expansionist theory against Indian people may be renewed. . Thus, Communalism against Indian people also may be renewed. If we closely examine the history of many countries in the world, thevarious ethnic groups living in their respective countries have become unidentifiable along with the people of their respective countries due to non maintaining their ethnic identities and cultural values. At the same time that our community migrated from South India to Sri Lanka, they also migrated to other British colonial countries like Mauritius, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, South Africa, Caribbean Islands are among them. Even the people of Indian origin who went to these countries today they failed to preserve their artistic cultural values, language and they lost their ethnic identity and religion. 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