Entrenched Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism forecloses federal solutions and portends broader attacks on minorities
Evidence
The institutionalization of the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist ideology means that a political solution to Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict is unlikely; meaningful devolution, whereby Sri Lanka’s Tamils could coalesce with their ethnic counterparts and gain equality and self-respect, is also not in the offing—irrespective of how the conflict ends or the preferences of the international community. A solution along federal lines is especially unlikely. On the contrary, the Sri Lankan state, especially under the present government, will continue to seek a military solution and perpetuate the extant unitary structure. Irrespective of when the civil war ends, even Tamils who have clamored for autonomy within a united Sri Lanka are bound to be disappointed. The analysis further suggests that other minorities (e.g., Christians and Muslims) also could come under attack as the nationalist ideology becomes further consolidated. The recent well calibrated anti-Christian violence and the intermittent Buddhist-Muslim clashes hint of the dangers ahead. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 42
Categorization
- XREF: Connects to the reader’s inquiry on threat-driven or manufactured-enemy solidarity: the analysis suggests the nationalist ideology’s consolidation expands its target set beyond Tamils to Christians and Muslims—an enemy that proliferates rather than shrinks. — connects to: Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist ideology frames dissenters as enemies of the state. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 36; Ethnic outbidding by Sinhalese parties drove ethnic polarization.; Extremist Sinhalese parties weaponized Buddhism against Tamil devolution — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 157 (+10 more)
- ADDENDUM: Supports the ‘On Sacrifice’ theme insofar as it describes how ideology-hardened solidarity resists rational/federal correction; also echoes the ‘manufactured external enemy’ research question when the ritual enemy remains indefinitely conscripted.
Broader Connections
- Sinhalese nationalist identity is constructed as inseparable from Buddhism
#expands(0.82) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 193 - Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism rests on a foundational belief in Buddhist sufferance toward minorities
#qualifies(0.78) - Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist ideology rests on mythic history yet betrays Buddhism’s core values
#corroborates(0.75) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 294 - Religious minorities become politically suspect when religion ties to national identity
#complicates(0.72)