Belgium is a small European country with a population of about one crore, predominantly split between Dutch and French speakers. Tensions between these communities arose due to historical inequalities, while Sri Lanka, with a population of around two crores, faced conflict between Sinhala and Tamil communities after independence in 1948 due to majoritarian policies. Belgium addressed its ethnic differences through constitutional arrangements promoting equality, while Sri Lanka's civil war resulted in significant loss of life and economic setbacks.

4. Belgium
• 1. Belgium is a small country in Europe
• 2. It has a population of a little of one crore, about half
the population of Haryana.
• 3. Of Belgium 's total population 59% are Dutch speaking
people who live in the Flemish region, 40% are French
speaking who live in the Wallonia region. Remaining 1%
speak German.
• In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent people speak
French while 20 per cent are Dutch-speaking

6.  Whereas, Srilanka is an island nation, just a few
kilometers off the southern coast of Tamil nadu.
 Sri lanka has a diverse population with about 2 crore
people, about the same as Haryana.
 Total Srilanka population has 74% Sinhala-
speakers, 18% Tamil speakers and the rest 13% are
called ‘Srilanka Tamils '.

7.  The minority French-speaking community was relatively
rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-
speaking community who got the benefit of economic
development and education much later. This led to
tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-
speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s. The
tension between the two communities was more acute in
Brussels. Brussels presented a special problem: the
Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the
country, but a minority in the capital.

8. Problem in Sri Lanka
 Sri Lankan Tamils are
concentrated in the north and east
of the country. Most of the
Sinhala-speaking people are
Buddhist, while most of the
Tamils are Hindus or Muslims.
There are about 7per cent
Christians, who are both Tamil
and Sinhalas.

9.  Independence in 1948.
 Leaders of Sinhala community tried to dominate and took
some ‘majoritarian measures’
 1956-Act was passed-it declared Sinhala as the official
language.
Preferential policy-favoring Sinhalas for university
education and government jobs.
 State shall protect and foster Buddhism.
 These measures created feeling of alienation among
Srilankan Tamils. They felt that these policies denied them
equal political rights and opportunities.

10. Srilankan Tamils launched parties and struggles and demanded—
Recognition of Tamil as an official language
Regional autonomy
Equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
Though all these demands were denied. In 1980’s several political
organizations started demanding separate state—TAMIL EELAM
Distrust developed and CIVILWAR started……….Its results:
1.Thousands of people got killed
2.Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees.
3.Many more lost their livelihood.
4.Excellent record of Srilanka’s economic development, education and
health received a terrible setback.

11. Belgian leaders took a different path : recognized the existence of regional
differences and cultural diversities.
The CONSTITUTION say that:
• Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in central
government.
• Many powers of the central govt. have been given to the state govt. of
two regions and state govt.s are not subordinate to the central govt.
• In Brussels both communities have equal representation
• Community government: elected by the people belonging to one language
community, no matter where they live. This govt. has a power regarding
cultural, educational & language issues.

12.  These arrangements have worked very well for
Belgium so far, as it has helped in:-
Avoid civic tensions between the communities.
Avoided possible division of the country on linguistic
lines.
When EUROPEAN UNION was formed Brussels
was chosen as its headquarters.

13. MD SARWAR AZAD
X – ‘A’