It depends on which province of Sri Lankan Tamil you interacted with.
You might have interacted with a 19th century migrant.
Central province saw, 8 lakh plantation tamil workers “Stateless” at the time of Sri Lankan independence. Majority were ezhavas migrated during British regime in 19th century from Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Sri Lankan Tamil Dialects:
It has five dialects.
i)Jaffna Tamil - Northern SL- TN proximity
II)Batticaloa Tamil - Eastern SL - 1 to13 century migrants
iii)Negomba Tamil- Western SL- Natives
iv)Moors Tamil - Eastern SL- Arab descendants
v)Malayala Tamil- Central Province SL- 19 century migrants.
In addition Sri Lankan Tamil dialects are inflenced by Portugese, Dutch as well as English and Sinhalese.
Many in Mainland (TN) may not be aware that, Tamils in N Eastern region of Sri Lanka, settled before 12–13 century, alongwith native Tamil in West and rest are called Sri Lankan Tamils, whereas Tamils migrated in 19th century to central Sri Lanka as plantation workers by the British are called Indian Tamils by the Sri Lankan Government.
Within Eastern Region, one can find different histories to hear.
Eastern region Tamils follow traditional “Kudi” system with Panchamars (Nalars, Pallars, Parayars, Vannars and Ambattayars).
At the same time, “Vellalars and Karaiyears” claim their Kalinga (Odisha) connection of 13th century. Vellalar is not a Tamil community as many believe and it is Tamilized term of affluent Kalingas.
Central province saw, 8 lakh plantation tamil workers “Stateless” at the time of Sri Lankan independence. Majority were ezhavas migrated during British regime in 19th century from Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Since then 40% were given citizens in Sri Lanka and remaining 60% were displaced and accepted in India, UK, Australia and Canada. India has accepted over 120000.
The most cursed nation in the world today by ethnicity is Sri Lanka.
A tiny island with many faces due to Indian and European invasions.
Sri Lankan population is only 2 crore. Tamils are about 20 lakhs, about 10%.
These 20 lakhs, has different histories, different culture, differences due to period in which they migrated- and the majority Sinhalese population could not take minority alongwith them.
Offlate, the division tend to spread in other countries in a negative way. “Stateless” Sri Lankans use their Tamil identity (majority are in fact Malayalis) to mar the peace of other nations.
Yadum Oore; Yavarum Kelir.
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