தமிழ் - முஸ்லிம் இன நல்லுறவு ஒரு வரலாற்றுப் பார்வை (முசலிப் பிரதேச செயலக எல்லையை மையப்படுத்திய ஆய்வு)

Abstract

In the pluralistic context of post-war Sri Lanka, the notion of ethnic harmony has attracted considerable scholarly attention as a significant area of inquiry. Against this backdrop, the present study investigates the patterns of interethnic relations between Tamil and Muslim communities in the Musali Divisional Secretariat Division of the Mannar District during two distinct phases: (i) the period of systematic Muslim resettlement (2009–2015) and (ii) the subsequent post-resettlement period extending to the present (2015–2023). Adopting a qualitative research design, the study draws primarily on first-hand data collected through interviews, which were analyzed using the coding method. The findings indicate that during the resettlement phase, relations between the Tamil and Muslim communities were considerably strained across political, economic, social, religious, cultural, and educational spheres. By contrast, the post-resettlement period has witnessed a gradual improvement in interethnic relations. The weakening of relations during the resettlement phase is attributable to several interrelated factors, including the forced displacement of Muslims, the emergence of new generations with limited mutual familiarity, the persistence of bitter memories associated with displacement, the spread of ethnically segregated schools, and the influence of modern communication technologies. Conversely, the improvement of interethnic relations in the post-resettlement period has been facilitated by the interventions of non-governmental organizations, the cultivation of mutual understanding between the two communities, the contributions of intellectuals, and the constructive guidance of religious institutions. This study highlights the complex and evolving dynamics of Tamil–Muslim relations in Musali, identifying both the challenges that characterized the resettlement period and the factors that contributed to the strengthening of ethnic harmony in subsequent years. Furthermore, the findings are expected to provide valuable insights for future scholarship on interethnic relations in post-conflict societies.