From Compromise to Tamil Separatism

Attempts at compromise soon followed. The Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact of 1957 proposed devolving administrative

powers to Tamil-majority regions. Yet intense opposition from Sinhala nationalist forces forced its

abrogation, leading to riots and the declaration of a national emergency in 1958.

A similar fate befell the Senanayake–Chelvanayakam Pact of 1965, reinforcing Tamil perceptions that

negotiated settlements were politically unsustainable. The situation further deteriorated in

the 1970s. The 1972 Constitution granted Buddhism a foremost position and removed key

minority safeguards. In response, Tamil political unity intensified with the formation

of the Tamil United Front. In 1976, the Vaddukoddai Resolution formally