Publication

This paper explores the evolution of Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict from a multiparty parliamentary struggle into a military confrontation between the Sinhala majority (mostly Buddhists) and the Tamil minority (mostly Hindus). It argues that the third largest ethnic group, the Muslims, or "Moors," have been conspicuously ignored or, at best, treated as peripheral stakeholders in the future of the island. The authors examine topics such as the origin of the Sri Lankan Muslims, Muslim politics from independence to civil war, the role of Muslims in the peace process since 2002, and radicalization and potential for Muslim militancy.