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Research Journal of the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka- Rohana 11, 2019

In the mid-1970s, the relative deprivation-based feelings of Tamils regarding the
Sinhalese heightened further. Even when the rest of the country suffered an

economic downturn at the beginning of the 1970s, Jaffna farmers produced

sufficient crops, particularly chilies, onions, rice, and mangoes (Ilangarathna, 1976).
Some places like Velanai, Mankumpan and Mandaithivu produced large rice

harvests in 1971/1972 (HC. Deb, 21.11.1974., p. 777). But after the introduction of
the open economy in 1977 this situation changed drastically. The open economic

policies were a mixed blessing. Though they stimulated the economy they also

widened the gaps between the rich and the poor. Prices of agricultural produce from
Jaffna dropped precipitously due to the open economy-based competition (HC. Deb,

18.11.1977). Therefore, rural poverty spread rapidly in Jaffna. However, poverty
was a serious problem even among the Sinhalese in rural areas. Benefits of the open

economic policies were enjoyed mostly by the urban community of Sinhalese.
However, Tamils viewed that on the whole their community had been relatively

deprived due to the bad outcomes of the Open Economy. At one time Mr. A.

Amirthalingam, parliamentarian representing Kankesanthurai pointed out,

“We have been subjected to much pain of mind and the humiliation of being unable
to provide for our family’s essential nourishment, due to the high cost of living,
corruption and monopoly of the State and cooperative societies…” (HC. Deb.,

18.11.1977, p. 408).

According to them, most of the factories, companies, development projects and
businesses were established in the Sinhalese majority areas under the Open

Economy. Therefore, Tamils were relatively deprived in such matters like
professional opportunities, ownership of businesses and profits when compared with

the Sinhalese (HC. Deb., 18.11.1977., p. 408).

The focus group discussions held in Varani on 23.09.2018 revealed that even during

that period the Jaffna Tamil youth did not wish to work beyond the outskirts of
Jaffna. Such feelings were now even stronger than in the 1970s. Computer literacy

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