Question

Assess how the British used divide and rule policies in Sri Lanka.(1 point)
Responses

They favored the Tamil over the native Sinhalese.
They favored the Tamil over the native Sinhalese.

They made the Tamils refugees of the nation after a military coup.
They made the Tamils refugees of the nation after a military coup.

They used scorched-earth tactics on the ethnic minorities.
They used scorched-earth tactics on the ethnic minorities.

They chose Sinhalese over Tamils in bureaucratic positions.

1 answer

The British colonial administration in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) primarily implemented a divide and rule strategy that favored one ethnic group over another to maintain control. The correct assessment from the provided options is:

They favored the Tamil over the native Sinhalese.

This policy involved promoting Tamils, particularly in education and government jobs, which led to increased tensions and division between the Tamil and Sinhalese communities that persisted long after independence.