The Impact of Glories and Traumas on the Sinhalese - Tamil Relationship in Sri Lanka: A Study Based on ABC Triangle

Abstract

Due to the diversity of its ethnic and religious groupings, Sri Lanka had to encounter innumerable challenges. One aspect of a problem is hidden when it is being observed. The masterpiece of Johan Galtung's ABC Triangle was meant to examine those hidden circumstances. Deep cultural syndromes can have a direct impact on a person's behaviour. Since the Rathnapura district in Sri Lanka primarily comprises significant cultural syndromes, it is selected as the research study area. In-depth qualitative interviews and a questionnaire were used in the study. MS Excel was used to examine the quantitative data, while the content-based analysis method was used to assess the qualitative data. When one incident became a source of 'Glory' for Sinhalese, it became a source of 'Trauma' for Tamils as well; Tamils and Sinhalese suffered trauma from the same incident. Lack of rights and language proficiency affects how long specific syndromes persist and develop directly. People still have a strong belief in information passed down through generations. Organizing programs for government officials, religious leaders, and school children and implementing a by-lingual service system in every public office are considered important activities to reduce the syndromes in attitudes. While making new policies, implementing policies, and conducting research, it is crucial for policymakers, scholars, and public servants to pay attention to the culturally entrenched cultural syndromes in society.