Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Religion & Culture / Religious Studies

Program Name/Specialization

Global Justice and Human Rights

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Edmund Pries

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Second Advisor

Abderrahman Beggar

Advisor Role

Second Reader

Abstract

This paper examines the mass atrocities committed against the Tamil population in Sri Lanka, analyzing them through the interconnected lenses of religion, culture, and global justice. It explores how Sinhalese-Buddhist nationalism, codified through legal and constitutional mechanisms such as the Sinhala Only Act and state-sponsored cultural erasure, facilitated the systemic marginalization, displacement, and dehumanization of Tamils. The study investigates the legal, political, and cultural underpinnings of these acts ranging from war crimes and ethnic cleansing to potential genocide while assessing the reluctance of both domestic and international actors to enforce meaningful accountability. Drawing on hybrid court models, transitional justice theories, and testimonies from human rights organizations, this paper critiques the failures of postwar reconciliation efforts and emphasizes the need for inclusive justice mechanisms. It further examines the intergenerational trauma endured by Tamil communities and highlights the importance of integrating psychosocial support, local peacebuilding traditions, and cultural restoration in efforts toward long-term reconciliation.

Convocation Year

2025

Convocation Season

Fall

Additional Files
Major Research Paper.docx (91 kB)
Download

Additional files available below

Share

COinS