The Truth

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight." The armed conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka has troubled Sri Lanka for more than 20 years.

Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation then. In 1948, when Sri Lanka achieved independence from the British, Agilan and many other Indian Tamils became stateless because citizenship were only granted to those born in Sri Lanka and those whose fathers and grandfathers were born there. As Agilan was neither born in Sri Lanka nor his father and grandfather was, The Ceylon Citizenship Act was unfair to Agilan. They had lived and contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy but were denied basic rights such as voting.

In 1956, Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language under the Official Language Act, Tamils in the government service had to learn Sinhala within three years. If they did not do so, they would be dismissed. Although Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation, he had plans to find a job with more prospects. The Official Language Act upset them as well as the others because it was difficult to find jobs or be promoted. Agilan’s brother, Amalan, was in the government sector. He was furious when Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language.

“ Agilan, it isn’t fair right? We contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy and this is how they treat us! Come, come with me, our leader, Chelvanayakam, is leading some of us to do a peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act in the afternoon,” exclaimed Amalan, fixing his gaze on Agilan.

Agilan did not go with his brother, as he had to work in the afternoon. But, never did he expect that it was the last time he would have seen his brother.

“ Agilan, the peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act was disrupted by supporters of the Sinhala Language. It turned violent and over a hundred people were killed and your brother was one of them,” gasped Gunalan, who was Amalan’s colleague.

Agilan was working in the tea plantation when he heard this news. Agilan ‘s heart was filled with hatred and anger. He did not resorted to violence, as he did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother. In fact, what Agilan could do, was only, to hold grudges against the Sinhalese. Nevertheless, Agilan worked even harder. He wanted to prove to the Sinhalese that no matter how biased they were to the Tamils, it was possible to get a job that has more prospects.

One evening, when Agilan was returning home from work, he saw something on the notice board that shocked him deeply. Agilan was exhausted but the words on the notice board energised him.

It wrote; “With effect from the end of this month, not only the Sinhalese peasants would live in Jaffna and Batticaloa, Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan Army which comprised of mostly Sinhalese will come to occupy this land.”

Agilan felt insecure and there is nothing he could do about it.

Agilan ‘s confidence was short-lived. From 1970, there were changes in educational policies. It was compulsory for Tamil students to score higher marks than the Sinhalese to enter the same courses in the universities. Agilan gave up hope on entering the university. He felt that no matter how hard he tried, the Sinhalese would be biased. It was impossible to lead a life that was as carefree as a Sinhalese.

Agilan joined the new political party called the Tamil United Liberation Front. Its aim is to ask for a separate independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka. They wanted this state to be known as Tamil Eelam. Agilan as well as the others believed that only separation from Sri Lanka would ensure their rights. The Sri Lankan government rejected the idea of a separate and independent Tamil state. Agilan as well as some of the others were angry and dissatisfied. They formed a militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Agilan and the others had resorted to violence. If given a choice they would chose otherwise. Although Agilan did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother. If sacrificing meant the welfare of the future descendants, he would.

Violence did not come only from the Tamils. The Sinhalese also showed their hostility towards the Tamils, sometimes through violence. "No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight."

Word Count : 781

The Truth

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight." The armed conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka has troubled Sri Lanka for more than 20 years.

Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation then. In 1948, when Sri Lanka achieved independence from the British, Agilan and many other Indian Tamils became stateless because citizenship were only granted to those born in Sri Lanka and those whose fathers and grandfathers were born there. As Agilan was neither born in Sri Lanka nor his father and grandfather was, The Ceylon Citizenship Act was unfair to Agilan. They had lived and contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy but were denied basic rights such as voting.

In 1956, Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language under the Official Language Act, Tamils in the government service had to learn Sinhala within three years. If they did not do so, they would be dismissed. Although Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation, but he had plans to find a job with more prospects. The Official Language Act upset them as well as the others because it was difficult to find jobs or be promoted. Agilan’s brother, Amalan, was in the government sector then, and was furious when Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language.

“ Agilan, it isn’t fair right? We contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy and this is how they treat us! Come, come with me, our leader, Chelvanayakam, is leading some of us to do a peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act in the afternoon,” exclaimed Amalan, fixing his gaze on Agilan.

Agilan did not go with his brother, as he had to work in the afternoon. But, never did he expect that it was the last time he would have seen his brother.

“ Agilan, the peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act was disrupted by supporters of the Sinhala Language. It turned violent and over a hundred people were killed and your brother was one of them,” gasped Gunalan, who was Amalan’s colleague.

Agilan was working in the tea plantation when he heard this news. Agilan ‘s heart was filled with hatred and anger. He did not resorted to violence, as he did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother. In fact, what Agilan could do, was only, to hold grudges against the Sinhalese. Nevertheless, Agilan worked even harder. He wanted to prove to the Sinhalese that no matter how biased they were to the Tamils, it was possible to get a job that has more prospects.

One evening, when Agilan was returning home from work, he saw something on the notice board that shocked him deeply. Agilan was exhausted but the words on the notice board energize him.

It wrote; “ With effect from the end of this month, not only the Sinhalese peasants would live in Jaffna and Batticaloa, Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan Army which comprised mostly Sinhalese will come to occupy this land.”

Agilan felt insecure but could do nothing about it.

Agilan ‘s confidence was short-lived. From 1970, there were changes in educational policies, it was compulsory for Tamil students to score higher marks than the Sinhalese to enter the same courses in the universities. Agilan gave up hopes on entering the university. He felt that no matter how hard he tried, if the Sinhalese were so biased, it was impossible to lead a life that was as carefree as a Sinhalese.

Agilan joined the new political party called the Tamil United Liberation Front. Its aim is to ask for a separate independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka and wanted this state to be known as Tamil Eelam. Agilan as well as the others believed that only separation from Sri Lanka would ensure their rights. The Sri Lankan government rejected the idea of a separate and independent Tamil state. Agilan as well as some of the others were angry and dissatisfied and formed a militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Agilan and the others had resorted to violence.Agilan and the others would not want to resort to violence if they had a choice. Although Agilan did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother, but if sacrificing meant the welfare of the future descendants, he would.

Violence did not come only from the Tamils. The Sinhalese also showed their hostility towards the Tamils, sometimes through violence. "No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight."

Word Count :790

The Truth

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight." The armed conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka has troubled Sri Lanka for more than 20 years.

Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation then. In 1948, when Sri Lanka achieved independence from the British, Agilan and many other Indian Tamils became stateless because citizenship were only granted to those born in Sri Lanka and those whose fathers and grandfathers were born there. As Agilan was neither born in Sri Lanka nor his father and grandfather was, The Ceylon Citizenship Act was unfair to Agilan. They had lived and contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy but were denied basic rights such as voting.

In 1956, Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language under the Official Language Act, Tamils in the government service had to learn Sinhala within three years. If they did not do so, they would be dismissed. Although Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation, but he had plans to find a job with more prospects. The Official Language Act upset them as well as the others because it was difficult to find jobs or be promoted. Agilan’s brother, Amalan, was in the government sector then, and was furious when Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language.

“ Agilan, it isn’t fair right? We contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy and this is how they treat us! Come, come with me, our leader, Chelvanayakam, is leading some of us to do a peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act in the afternoon,” exclaimed Amalan, fixing his gaze on Agilan.

Agilan did not go with his brother, as he had to work in the afternoon. But, never did he expect that it was the last time he would have seen his brother.

“ Agilan, the peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act was disrupted by supporters of the Sinhala Language. It turned violent and over a hundred people were killed and your brother was one of them,” gasped Gunalan, who was Amalan’s colleague.

Agilan was working in the tea plantation when he heard this news. Agilan ‘s heart was filled with hatred and anger. He did not resorted to violence, as he did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother. In fact, what Agilan could do, was only, to hold grudges against the Sinhalese. Nevertheless, Agilan worked even harder. He wanted to prove to the Sinhalese that no matter how biased they were to the Tamils, it was possible to get a job that has more prospects.

One evening, when Agilan was returning home from work, he saw something on the notice board that shocked him deeply. Agilan was exhausted but the words on the notice board energize him.

It wrote; “ With effect from the end of this month, not only the Sinhalese peasants would live in Jaffna and Batticaloa, Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan Army which comprised mostly Sinhalese will come to occupy this land.”

Agilan felt insecure but could do nothing about it.

Agilan ‘s confidence was short-lived. From 1970, there were changes in educational policies, it was compulsory for Tamil students to score higher marks than the Sinhalese to enter the same courses in the universities. Agilan gave up hopes on entering the university. He felt that no matter how hard he tried, if the Sinhalese were so biased, it was impossible to lead a life that was as carefree as a Sinhalese.

Agilan joined the new political party called the Tamil United Liberation Front. Its aim is to ask for a separate independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka and wanted this state to be known as Tamil Eelam. Agilan as well as the others believed that only separation from Sri Lanka would ensure their rights. The Sri Lankan government rejected the idea of a separate and independent Tamil state. Agilan as well as some of the others were angry and dissatisfied and formed a militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Agilan and the others had resorted to violence. Agilan and the others would not want to resort to violence if they had a choice. Although Agilan did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother, but if sacrificing meant the welfare of the future descendants, he would.

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight."

Word Count :770

The Truth

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight."

Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation then. In 1948, when Sri Lanka achieved independence from the British, Agilan and many other Indian Tamils became stateless because citizenship were only granted to those born in Sri Lanka and those whose fathers and grandfathers were born there. As Agilan was neither born in Sri Lanka nor his father and grandfather was, The Ceylon Citizenship Act was unfair to Agilan. They had lived and contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy but were denied basic rights such as voting.

In 1956, Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language under the Official Language Act, Tamils in the government service had to learn Sinhala within three years. If they did not do so, they would be dismissed. Although Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation, but he had plans to find a job with more prospects. The Official Language Act upset them as well as the others because it was difficult to find jobs or be promoted. Agilan’s brother, Amalan, was in the government sector then, and was furious when Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language.

“ Agilan, it isn’t fair right? We contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy and this is how they treat us! Come, come with me, our leader, Chelvanayakam, are leading some of us to do a peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act in the afternoon.” Amalan exclaimed.

Agilan did not go with his brother, as he had to work in the afternoon. But, never did he expect that it was the last time he would have seen his brother.

“ Agilan, the peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act was disrupted by supporters of the Sinhala Language. It turned violent and over a hundred people were killed and your brother was one of them.” Shouted Gunalan, who was Amalan’s colleague.

Agilan was working in the tea plantation when he heard this news. Agilan ‘s heart was filled with hatred and anger. He did not resorted to violence, as he did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother. In fact, what Agilan could do, was only, to hold grudges against the Sinhalese. Nevertheless, Agilan worked even harder. He wanted to prove to the Sinhalese that no matter how biased they were to the Tamils, it was possible to get a job that has more prospects.

One evening, when Agilan was returning home from work, he saw something on the notice board that shocked him deeply. Agilan was exhausted but the words on the notice board energize him.

It wrote; “ With effect from the end of this month, not only the Sinhalese peasants would live in Jaffna and Batticaloa, Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan Army which comprised mostly Sinhalese will come to occupy this land.”

Agilan felt insecure but could do nothing about it.

Agilan ‘s confidence was short-lived. From 1970, there were changes in educational policies, it was compulsory for Tamil students to score higher marks than the Sinhalese to enter the same courses in the universities. Agilan gave up hopes on entering the university. He felt that no matter how hard he tried, if the Sinhalese were so biased, it was impossible to lead a life that was as carefree as a Sinhalese.

Agilan joined the new political party called the Tamil United Liberation Front. Its aim is to ask for a separate independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka and wanted this state to be known as Tamil Eelam. Agilan as well as the others believed that only separation from Sri Lanka would ensure their rights. The Sri Lankan government rejected the idea of a separate and independent Tamil state. Agilan as well as some of the others were angry and dissatisfied and formed a militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Agilan and the others had resorted to violence. Agilan and the others would not want to resort to violence if they had a choice. Although Agilan did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother, but if sacrificing meant the welfare of the future descendants, he would.

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight."

Word Count: 745

Draft 1- Content for Historical Narrative

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight. Throughout the countries that shelter the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, the Tigers’ activists are desperately trying to win some reprieve for the last LTTE guerrilla force trapped in Sri Lanka."

Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation then. In 1948, when Sri Lanka achieved independence from the British, Agilan and many other Indian Tamils became stateless because citizenship were only granted to those born in Sri Lanka and those whose fathers and grandfathers were born there. As Agilan was neither born in Sri Lanka nor his father and grandfather was, The Ceylon Citizenship Act was unfair to Agilan. They had lived and contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy but were denied basic rights such as voting.

In 1956, Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language under the Official Language Act, Tamils in the government service had to learn Sinhala within three years. If they did not do so, they would be dismissed. Although Agilan was a worker in the tea plantation, but he had plans to find a job with more prospects. The Official Language Act upset them as well as the others because it was difficult to find jobs or be promoted. Agilan’s brother, Amalan, was in the government sector then, and was furious when Sinhala was declared as the country’s official language.

“ Agilan, it isn’t fair right? We contributed significantly to the Sri Lanka economy and this is how they treat us! Come, come with me, our leader, Chelvanayakam, are leading some of us to do a peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act in the afternoon.” Amalan exclaimed.

Agilan did not go with his brother, as he had to work in the afternoon. But, never did he expect that it was the last time he would have seen his brother.

“ Agilan, the peaceful demonstration against the Official Language Act was disrupted by supporters of the Sinhala Language. It turned violent and over a hundred people were killed and your brother was one of them.” Shouted Gunalan, who was Amalan’s colleague.

Agilan was working in the tea plantation when he heard this news. Agilan ‘s heart was filled with hatred and anger. He did not resorted to violence, as he did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother. In fact, what Agilan could do, was only, to hold grudges against the Sinhalese. Nevertheless, Agilan worked even harder. He wanted to prove to the Sinhalese that no matter how biased they were to the Tamils, it was possible to get a job that has more prospects.

One evening, when Agilan was returning home from work, he saw something on the notice board that shocked him deeply. Agilan was exhausted but the words on the notice board energize him.

It wrote; “ With effect from the end of this month, not only the Sinhalese peasants would live in Jaffna and Batticaloa, Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan Army which comprised mostly Sinhalese will come to occupy this land.”

Agilan felt insecure but could do nothing about it.

Before 1970, university admission was based on merit and examinations were in English. The number of Tamil and Sinhalese students were almost equal. The Sinhalese were unhappy because this was not proportionate to their numbers in the country.

Agilan ‘s confidence was short-lived. From 1970, there were changes in educational policies, it was compulsory for Tamil students to score higher marks than the Sinhalese to enter the same courses in the universities. Agilan gave up hopes on entering the university. He felt that no matter how hard he tried, if the Sinhalese were so biased, it was impossible to lead a life that was as carefree as a Sinhalese.

Agilan joined the new political party called the Tamil United Liberation Front. Its aim is to ask for a separate independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka and wanted this state to be known as Tamil Eelam. Agilan as well as the others believed that only separation from Sri Lanka would ensure their rights. The Sri Lankan government rejected the idea of a separate and independent Tamil state. Agilan as well as some of the others were angry and dissatisfied and formed a militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Agilan and the others had resorted to violence. Agilan and the others would not want to resort to violence if they had a choice. Although Agilan did not want to have an ending exactly the same as his brother, but if sacrificing meant the welfare of the future descendants, he would.

"No prolonged violent civil war ends quietly. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are squalling like a cat on the losing end of a desperate fight. Throughout the countries that shelter the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, the Tigers’ activists are desperately trying to win some reprieve for the last LTTE guerrilla force trapped in Sri Lanka."

Word Count: 843