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| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Tamil · English · Sinhala · Other languages | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism · Buddhism · Catholicism · Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Sri Lankan diaspora · Sri Lankans in Malaysia · Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora |
Sri Lankans in Singapore consist mainly of Singaporeans ofSri Lankan origin whose ancestors came toSingapore before the independence of the island. With respect to ethnic group data in Singapore, Sri Lankans were classified under "Others" until 1970, and have since been classified as "Indians".
TheJaffnaTamils were predominantly large in number amongst people who came to resettle inSingapore andBritish Malaya in the 19th and early 20th centuries.[1] Ever since their arrival in Singapore, they identifying themselves "Ceylonese". They dominated the bureaucracy in Singapore as the British administration preferred employing Ceylonese individuals as bureaucrats in many of their Asian colonies. Ceylonese Tamils made up an overwhelming majority in the civil service of British Malaya and Singapore prior to independence.[2][circular reference]
In 1909, the Ceylon Tamils, who had grown in number to about 300 families, formed the Singapore Ceylon Tamils’ Association (SCTA).[3] Sri Lankans inSingapore andMalaysia formed the "Lanka Regiment" of theIndian National Army, directly under NetajiSubhas Chandra Bose.[4]
FormerPrime Minister of SingaporeLee Kuan Yew once said:
In terms of numbers, the Ceylonese, like theEurasians, are among the smallest of our various communities. Yet in terms of achievements and contributions to the growth and development of the modern Singapore and Malaysia they have done more than warranted by their numbers. In the early days of Malaysia's and Singapore's history the civil service and the professions were manned by a good number of Ceylonese. Even today the Ceylonese community continues to play a prominent role in these and other fields of civil life.
For example in Singapore, today, the Speaker of Parliament is a Ceylonese. So is our High Commissioner in Great Britain. So is ourForeign Minister. In the Judiciary, in the civil service, in the university, in the medical Service and in the professions they continue to make substantial contributions out of all proportion to their numbers. They are there not because they are members of a minority community but on the basis of merit.
The point is that the Ceylonese are holding their own in open competition with communities far larger than them. They have asked for no special favour or consideration as a minority. What they have asked for – and quite rightly – is that they should be judged on their merits and that they be allowed to compete with all other citizens fairly and without discrimination. This, as far as the Singapore government is concerned, is what is best for all of us. I believe that the future belongs to that society which acknowledges and rewards ability, drive and high performance without regard to race, language or religion.[5]
Some Ceylonese-founded institutions from the colonial era still exist. TheSri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple was founded by Ceylonese Tamils on the appropriately named Ceylon Road.Ceylon Sports Club was established in 1928 at its current premises alongBalester Road and continues to function as not only a sports club but a social and charitable institution.[6]
In recent years, many Sri Lankans have been coming to Singapore. Sri Lankan domestic workers form a large number of the 150,000 maids in Singapore.[7] Many students from Sri Lanka have also been coming to Singapore for further education.[8] On 31 July 2010, the Singapore Ceylon Tamils' Association celebrated its100-year anniversary.[9]
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