The Principle Players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka are the Sinhalas and Sri Lankan Tamils. After independence, politics in Sri Lanka was dominated by the interest of Sinhala community who were hostile to large number of Tamils who migrated from India to settle there. The Sinahalas believed Sri Lanka belongs just to them and hence thought that Sri Lanka should not give concession to the tamils. This confliction led to militant Tamil nationalism and since 1983 the militant organisation and the LTTE has been fighting an armed struggle.

Assessment:

1. The conflict also brought two nations India and Sri Lanka opposite towards each other

2. Despite the ongoing conflict Sri Lanka had considerable economic growth

3. Despite the internal conflict it has maintained a democratic political system