Background:
- If one looks at History, relation existed between Kerala and Ceylon mainly- except Northern Part of island which is close proximity to present day TN.
- Tamil ethnicity in Sri Lanka is a misnomer if we consider present geographic boundaries.
- Reason 1. Ezhava migration from Ceylon to Chera Kingdom and vice versa to set up palm plantation happened during 9th century.
- Present population of Sri Lanka is 2 Cr only. 20 lakhs or around 10% are minorities classified as Native Tamils, Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils by Sri Lankan Government.
- Native Tamils are natives of Island, living in Northern parts of Island.
- Reason 2.Sri Lankan Tamils are Sri Lankan natives migrated from Chera region in 12th century before the birth of Malayalam language. They speak Malayalam and write in Tamil scripts. They live in North Eastern parts of Island.
- Indian Tamils live in Central province of Sri Lanka, migrated from Madras State of British India during 19th century as plantation workers by the British.
Now look at the ethnic conflict, arised in 20th century- it is the conflict between Sinhalese (from where 23% of Kerala population traces its roots) and Sri Lankan Tamils (two third traces their origin to Kerala) but the the name notoriously brought is “Tamil ethnicity” and Kerala remained a spectator during the entire conflict.
NB: The views are mine. The other argumented view is that there is no Malayalam during 9th or 12th century. But it does not augur well for Keralites not to support the eazham cause- where the descendants are from present geographic boundaries of Kerala.
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