Dead bodies could be seen everywhere, houses were wrecked and destroyed. The surroundings were covered with blood and remains of the wrecked buildings. People were grieving over their deceased relatives. Gunshots and the cries of people could be heard from the villages where the Sinhalese lived. It was in the mid of 1976 after the Tamil United Liberation Front was formed and it started a civil war between the Sinhalese army and the Tamil Tigers.
Velupillai, a 14 year old teenager, inspired to be a Government Official when he grows up. In 1948, after Sri Lanka (Ceylon) had gained its independence, the Sinhalese Government issued a Ceylon Citizen Act denying the citizenships of the Indian Tamils. Thus, 1 million Tamils were left stateless overnight. They are the Tamils whom left India to work in Sri Lanka before it has gained its independence. Many Tamils including Velupillai’s parents tried to apply for the citizenship but to no avail and it was stated that only parents whom was born in Sri Lanka could apply for the citizenship. However, the Tamils did not give up applying for the citizenship.
Two years later, the Government issued a Resettlement Policy. Leaving the Tamils outnumbered by the Sinhalese living around them. Hence, all of them including Velupillai and his parents went to stay in Jaffna where most of the Tamils lived. Velupillai studied hard hoping he could get into University. Finally, after years of hard work Velupillai managed to get into University and studied the course he wanted. During the years in University, he studied hard and managed to get A’s for all of his subjects.
“Yes! This is my last year of University!” shouted Velupillai excitedly as he jumps up and down in his room, “After I graduate, I’ll want to apply to be a Government Official!”
“Well, you’ll still have to study hard and maintain your grades.” his father responded calmly as he put his hands on Velupillai’s shoulder.
Velupillai looked into his father’s eyes and replied seriously, “I will father, and I’ll make sure that you will be proud of me.”
“We’ll see about that after you get your results,” father responded as he walks away.
However, at the last year of his studies in University, 1956, the Sinhalese Government issued an Official Language Act stating that only Sinhala (Sinhalese Language) could only be used in schools instead of English. After Velupillai heard the news, he was filled with disappointment as he wanted to work as a Government Official so that he could improve the lives of the Tamils and giving them equal rights as the Sinhalese. In the end, Velupillai did not manage to pass his examinations. Velupillai’s eyes were filled with anger and disappointment, tears was rolling down his cheeks uncontrollably. Therefore, Velupillai could only find jobs which only require little education. 4 years later, Velupillai got married and had a son with his Sinhalese wife. Velupillai wished and hoped that his son could study in University in the future.
Years past and in 1972, the Sinhalese Government had issue a new university admission criteria stating that the Tamils had to score higher in order to get into University while the Sinhalese could score lower than the Tamils. In the end, Rajaa, Velupillai’s son did not make it to University. Therefore, the Tamils went to seek for the Government and said they wanted either independence or equal rights. However, the Sinhalese Government refused to do so. The Tamils were unhappy with the Sinhalese and they wanted revenge!
With much anger and hatred in Velupillai, he formed the Tamil United Liberation Front also known as the ‘Tamil Tigers’ in 1976. A civil war started between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. The Tamil Tigers were fighting against the Sinhalese’s military troupe. However, Velupillai’s wife still stayed together with him. In the civil war many innocent people had died or received severe injuries. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard.
“Attack!” shouted one of the Tamil Tigers as he points towards the Sinhalese army.
Velupillai, a 14 year old teenager, inspired to be a Government Official when he grows up. In 1948, after Sri Lanka (Ceylon) had gained its independence, the Sinhalese Government issued a Ceylon Citizen Act denying the citizenships of the Indian Tamils. Thus, 1 million Tamils were left stateless overnight. They are the Tamils whom left India to work in Sri Lanka before it has gained its independence. Many Tamils including Velupillai’s parents tried to apply for the citizenship but to no avail and it was stated that only parents whom was born in Sri Lanka could apply for the citizenship. However, the Tamils did not give up applying for the citizenship.
Two years later, the Government issued a Resettlement Policy. Leaving the Tamils outnumbered by the Sinhalese living around them. Hence, all of them including Velupillai and his parents went to stay in Jaffna where most of the Tamils lived. Velupillai studied hard hoping he could get into University. Finally, after years of hard work Velupillai managed to get into University and studied the course he wanted. During the years in University, he studied hard and managed to get A’s for all of his subjects.
“Yes! This is my last year of University!” shouted Velupillai excitedly as he jumps up and down in his room, “After I graduate, I’ll want to apply to be a Government Official!”
“Well, you’ll still have to study hard and maintain your grades.” his father responded calmly as he put his hands on Velupillai’s shoulder.
Velupillai looked into his father’s eyes and replied seriously, “I will father, and I’ll make sure that you will be proud of me.”
“We’ll see about that after you get your results,” father responded as he walks away.
However, at the last year of his studies in University, 1956, the Sinhalese Government issued an Official Language Act stating that only Sinhala (Sinhalese Language) could only be used in schools instead of English. After Velupillai heard the news, he was filled with disappointment as he wanted to work as a Government Official so that he could improve the lives of the Tamils and giving them equal rights as the Sinhalese. In the end, Velupillai did not manage to pass his examinations. Velupillai’s eyes were filled with anger and disappointment, tears was rolling down his cheeks uncontrollably. Therefore, Velupillai could only find jobs which only require little education. 4 years later, Velupillai got married and had a son with his Sinhalese wife. Velupillai wished and hoped that his son could study in University in the future.
Years past and in 1972, the Sinhalese Government had issue a new university admission criteria stating that the Tamils had to score higher in order to get into University while the Sinhalese could score lower than the Tamils. In the end, Rajaa, Velupillai’s son did not make it to University. Therefore, the Tamils went to seek for the Government and said they wanted either independence or equal rights. However, the Sinhalese Government refused to do so. The Tamils were unhappy with the Sinhalese and they wanted revenge!
With much anger and hatred in Velupillai, he formed the Tamil United Liberation Front also known as the ‘Tamil Tigers’ in 1976. A civil war started between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. The Tamil Tigers were fighting against the Sinhalese’s military troupe. However, Velupillai’s wife still stayed together with him. In the civil war many innocent people had died or received severe injuries. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard.
“Attack!” shouted one of the Tamil Tigers as he points towards the Sinhalese army.
[668 words]
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