Declining growth rate of the sinhala race
Sri Lanka is the 53rd most populated nation in the world. By the year 2010 population is 21.3 million. Comparing with some most populated nations in the world Sri Lankan population can be considered as a less number. Sri Lanka is a multi lingual, multi religious and a multi cultural country. The different ethnic groups have their own religions, languages and own cultures. The main ethnic group live in the country is Sinhala. Majority of them are Buddhist and others are Catholics. There are two types of Tamils as Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils. They are the second in population. Their main religion is Hindu. The third population is Muslims. Their religion is Islam. Other Small ethnic groups are Burghers, Malay, Cafri, Gypsy, Grady and Vedda people.
2. Though the Sinhala population is larger than the other ethnic groups in Sri Lanka when it is compared with the world population other minority ethnic groups such as Tamils and Muslims live in other countries in big numbers higher than the Sinhala population in Sri Lanka. It is a well known fact that the present population growth in Sri Lanka has continued to decline comparatively to the past. The net population growth rate is about 0.7%. But deferent ethnic group shows differences in their population growth rates. When it is compared within ethnic groups it is obvious that though the population of Sinhala race is higher than the other ethnic groups in the island the present growth rate of the Sinhala race is lower than the few other ethnic groups.
3. Analysing the global issue of population growth rates all the Arab countries have recorded the heist growth rates than any other country in the world. It clearly indicates that there is common facts effect to increase the population growth rate of Muslim population in the world. In Sri Lanka also they shows the heist growth rate than any other
ethnic group. Though the Tamils don’t have a separate state in the world they live in India especially in Thmilnadu higher than the Sri Lankan population. The Tamils in Sri Lanka shows a higher growth rate than Sinhalese but less than Muslim population.
4. The growth rates of the other small groups can’t be taken in to consideration compeered with Muslims and Tamils. The department of Census and Statistics does not count the growth rates ethnic wise. Even if they analyse those do not publish to the public. There fore it can be obtained after analysing the other population statistics available in the department.
AIM
5. The aim of this research paper is to study and analyze the facts which relate to the declining growth rate of the Sinhala race and to compare it with the growth rates of the other ethnic groups and to forward recommendations to over come projected problems in the future.
OBJECTIVES
6. General and specific objectives of this paper are as follows.
General objective:
To analyze the impact of declining population growth rate of Sinhala race on their survival in the future.
Specific objectives
(1) To investigate the impact of social, economic and cultural factors of various ethnic groups on their population growth rate.
To find out the repercussions and to give recommendations to overcome the projected problems.
CHAPTER TWO
METHODOLOGY
HYPOTHESIS
The present trend of declining growth of the Sinhala race will definitely jeopardize the survival of the Sinhala race.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
High population growth can be a problem to a developing country such as Sri Lanka. Although declining growth also can be a problem to the society or a country in deferent ways. The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure resources and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. The population of Sri Lanka is continuing to decline. Comparatively Sinhala race shows the lowest growth rate with other ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala ethnic group lives only in Sri Lanka except those who have migrated to live and work in other countries. Other ethnic groups such as Tamils and Muslims can be found in other countries as indigenous people of those countries. Therefore Sinhala ethnic group is confined only to Sri Lanka.
As per the United Nations Human Rights Universal Declaration all human are born with equal rights. Irrespective of ethnicity, skin colour, gender language, religion and political intentions every people should have equal rights. There fore any person born in Sri Lanka irrespective of ethnicity have equal rights. They all are considered as Sri Lankans.
Even though according to their race, languages, religions, cultures, social behaviours, expectations, are different. In some occasions according to the ethnicity or religion some can enjoy separate benefits than others such as Muslims can have several legal marriages. Same as Sinhalese can use their language in day to day life than other ethnic groups when deleing together. Some cultures and religions are completely deferent from each other. In some countries there are constant conflicts due to ethnicity and religions. Therefore being equal or being supersede by another ethnic group will crate ample of new problems in national level. As it has a tendency to change the existing pattern of the human society.
Presently the Sinhala race has the majority of political and economic power in the country. But in future with the declining growth rate of the Sinhala race and the raped growth rate of other ethnic group a minority will supersede the Sinhala population and will become the majority of the population. It will create a negative impact to the prevailing political and social system of the Sinhala race jeopardising their survival in the future.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The focus of the research is to find out whether the declining growth rate of the Sinhala race has an impact on their survival in the future in Sri Lanka. The scope of the study is limited to geography and 90 people of different ethnic groups have been selected from the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. The method of the study chosen based on the convenience of sampling design method. This research paper mainly concentrate on the facts effecting to the declining growth rate of the Sinhala race comparative to the other ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
The primary data gathering is done by using a survey method. The convenience sampling method is used with the help of a questionnaire. The sample for primary data gathering is from the people of the Eastern Province in Sri Lanka.
Primary sources Through Interviews with resource personnel and various ethnic groups. Questioners will be provided to the people concerned when compiling the paper.
Secondary sources Data will be collected from the documentary sources of last census carried out in Sri Lanka in 2001 available at Department of Census and Statistics and Central Bank reports for the research. Information from the internet will also be collected.
Tertiary sources Data will be collected from the books on the subject of Anthropology and Sociology.
SAMPLING
Peoples of different ethnic groups with different economic status and classes will be selected to study their opinions regarding the number of children they willing to have in a family. The reasons and their limitations also will be inquired. Sample of 90 respondents from main three ethnic groups composing 30 for one ethnic group will be selected using the convenience sampling method from the Central Province. Out of 30 people 15 will be female and 15 will be male between the ages of 20 to 40 years. The ethnic groups will be categorised as follows.
Sinhalese
Tamils
Muslim
LIMITATIONS
The time available to conduct this research was only 3 months. The length of the paper was limited to 4500 words, and it was not possible to collect data from the Muslim population as they are not willing to provide it without the permission of the mosque. The Census and Statistic Department do not have the data for population growth rate according to the ethnicity. They also do not have the latest statistics for the 2010 apart from the predicted details as the department had carried out last census in 2001 after 20 years.
LITERATURE REVIEW
HISTORICAL BACK GROUND
The Sri Lanka’s original inhabitants are the Veddah people. However, anthropologists believe that they are descendants from the people of the late Stone Age. The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka around the 5th or 6th century BC from North India.The name Sinhala was inherited to the peoples from King Vijaya who came from India [2] . Traders and fisher folk from South India who visited Sri Lanka during the late centuries BC also made the island as their permanent home. Today they can be identified as Sri Lankan Tamils who mainly concentrated to the North and North East of the island. Other type of Tamils is the decedents of the state workers who were brought by the British from South India during the colonial era. Muslims are considered as the decedents of the Arab merchants who came to the island from Arab countries. They had formed colonies at the important ports of the Island to acquire a virtual monopoly on commerce in the Indian Ocean [3] . They Burghers are the decedents of indigenous and others who mixed with British, Portuguese and Dutch during the colonial era. There are no strong evidence for the history of other small ethnic groups.
Sinhalese historically made their livelihood mainly by agricultural means according to the to main seasons and thereby they had a period of leisure time in which they devote themselves to create Pagoda Sthupa , Cannels , and Tanks. Further, they use to perform with cultural events and beautiful creativities with the blessings of the king and as a social event. All these celebrations have identified as group activities and not as an individual or family events. This nature of social functions of Sinhalese, and their agricultural based economy and livelihood have significantly caused to create comparatively simple life styles with limited hops and aspirations. In fact the other racial segment of the society (Minorities) had executed their modus operandi in different manner. They had mainly concentrated on commercial perspectives and development of racial and religions values. Comparatively their involvement for social events, but they constantly strengthen their own family as a main strongest body of their community. This self-centered culture of such communities could be identified as a main contributory factor for the dramatic increment of their population with remarkable pace as a contemporary issue.
CHAPTER THREE
ANALYSING OF DISPOSITION AND GROWTH RATES OF ETHNIC GROUPS
1. The Sinhala ethnic group is the largest consisting 81.9%. Tamils are 9.4% composing 4.3% Sri Lankan Tamils and 5.1% Indian Tamils. Muslims are 8% and others are 0.7% according to the last census carried out by the Census and Statistic Department in 2001. The census enumeration had completely carried out in 2001 after 20 years only in 18 districts due to the civil war in North and East. Census had not been carried out in three districts in North and North East provinces where the majority of Tamils and Muslims live.
Figure i Population distribution by ethnicity-2001
Comparing the disposition of the ethnic groups it is obvious that every ethnic group has concentrated to specific areas. Sinhalese have concentrated mainly to the Southern, Western, Central, South West and North Central Provinces. The Tamils are mainly concentrated to the North, North East and some part of Central Province. Muslims are mainly concentrated to the North East, South East, and North West. The Sinhala population has concentrated to specified areas but Muslims and Tamils are live where the Sinhalese have concentrated.
Sinhalese [81.9%]
Tamils [9.4%]
Muslims [8%]
Figure ii- Present disposition of the ethnic groups in Sri Lanka
Analysing the disposition highest percentage of Sinhalese population is reported from Hambantota district and lowest percentage is recorded for Ampara. Percentage of Sri Lankan Tamil population is highest at Ampara. Sri Lankan Muslim population is concentrated in Ampara and Puttalam districts and fairly a large population is found in Kandy district. Indian Tamils comprise more than half of the population in Nuwara Eliya district. In Kelinochchi, Mutative, Vavuniya and Jaffna districts Sri Lankan Tamil population is very much high than other ethnic groups. Science 2001 census were not carried out in these areas due to the civil war no way to obtain percentage of different ethnic groups.
Distribution and growth rates by districts as a percentage
Districts
Sinhalese
Sri Lanka Tamils
Indian Tamils
Muslims
1981 2001
1981 2001
1981 2001
1981 2001
Colombo
77.6 76.6
10.0 11.0
1.2 1.2
8.2 9.2
Gampaha
92.0 91,1
3.5 3.1
o.4 0.4
2.7 3.9
Kalutara
87.2 87.1
1.2 1.3
4.1 2.7
7.4 8.8
Kandy
74.3 74.0
5.0 3.9
9.4 8.4
10.5 13.3
Matale
80.0 80.2
5.8 5.4
7.0 5.3
7.0 8.8
Nuwra Eliya
42.1 40.0
12.7 5.9
42.7 51.3
2.0 2.5
Galle
94.5 94.3
0.9 1.2
1.4 0.9
3.2 3.6
Matara
94.5 94.2
0.7 0.6
2.2 2.2
2.5 2.9
Hambantota
97.1 97.1
0.6 0.4
0.1 0.1
1.2 1.1
Ampara
37.8 39.3
20.0 18.7
0.4 0.1
41.5 41.6
Kurunegala
92.2 91.7
1.2 1.2
0.6 0.2
5.0 6.7
Puttalam
86.6 73.8
6.6 6.9
0.5 0.3
9.9 18.7
Anuradhapura
91.1 90.8
1.4 0.7
0.1 0.1
7.1 8.2
Polonnaruwa
91.4 90.3
2.0 2.0
0.1 0.0
6.4 7.6
Badulla
69.1 72.1
5.9 4.2
20.2 18.2
4.2 5.2
Monaragala
92.7 94.5
2.0 1.4
3.2 1.9
1.9 2.0
Ratnapura
85.0 86.6
2.4 3.4
10.6 7.8
1.7 2.1
Kegalle
85.9 85.6
2.2 1.8
6.7 5.9
5.0 6.6
Total
82.5 81.9
4.6 4.3
5.7 5.1
6.4 8.0
Table i Parentage Distribution of Ethnicity by Districts, 1981 and 2001
As Census and Statistic Department has not carried out a census after 2001 the disposition of ethnicity in percentage has compared with the census of 1981 which had been done 20 years ago. During that period also the Census and Statistic Department has failed to conduct a census. Comparison with the corresponding 1981 census figures revels that the overall percentages for 18 districts have decline slightly for all the ethnic groups except for Muslims. They show an increase of 1.6 percentage points during 1981 to 2001. The presentage share of Sinhalese population in Puttalam district has dropped by 8.8 percentage points while an increase of similar magnitude is recorded for Muslim population. The share of Sri Lankan Tamil population has increased in Colombo, Ratnapura, Puttalam Galle and Kalutara districts and some other districts show some decrease. This decrease heist for Nuwara Eliya but the Indian Tamil population has increased by 8.6 percentage point. One remarkable feature of the change in ethnic distribution between 1981and 2001 is the increase in the present share of Muslim population in 17 out of 18 districts.
Table ii Population growth rate [4]
5. The first family planning clinic in Sri Lanka has opened in 1937, but has closed soon thereafter. In 1965 family planning had integrated in the governments maternal and child health program. The government’s concern with population reduction has clearly expressed through the formulation of the Population Policy in 1977. However, it has taken about two decades for the National Family Planning program to be able to reach the remote rural areas. During this period population growth shows a remarkable decrease. However this program has mainly effected or absorbed by the Sinhalese than other ethnic groups.
The average annual growth rate for the 18 districts during 1981-2001 is 1.2 percent. The lowest growth rate recorded for Kegalle and highest is reported for Ampara districts. Most of the wet zone districts have very low growth rates of less than 1 percent. Dry zone districts on the other hand, have growth rates exceeding 1 percent where the majority of Muslims and Tamils live.
CHAPTER FOUR
DISCUSSION AND ARGUMENT
It is pertinent to mentioned that in Northern parts of Sri Lanka specially in Jaffna peninsula there is a low call as “Thesawalami” according to this it revels that no any person who belongs to other ethnic group or is he /she from out side to the Northern regime would not permitted to purchase land and this has caused unfair for other communities. The other crucial factor of increasing of minorities could be identified as they constantly trying to absorb Buddhist to their religion by providing financial and other attractive benefits Some NGOs are also trying to introduce some family planning systems highlighting benefit as “importance of small family” and the most crucial thing of this practice is their focus made only for Sinhalese people and not for other communities.
The “Karhti Courts” which act as legal court to settle the problems which occurred within the Muslim Community according to the Islamic directives and all members of Muslim Communities strictly comply with such low and thereby the possibility of murders or other criminal offence are very unlikely and as a result of that untimely death or lifetime imprisonment are very limited when comparing with Sinhalese. Moreover, when comparing the Buddhists with the people of other religions, it has observed that most of other communities have obtain numerous benefits such as financial assistance and such religions has a comprehensive system to motivate and encourage .their followers to plan for more children in view of the development of the religion.
Another contributory factor in which the most of Sinhalese people can be identified as Buddhist. The Buddhism is mainly base on the three features of the life impermanency, suffering and soul in which gives negative feelings when considering the ordinary life stile. There fore such negative thought also contribute to influence the people to refrain from marriages.
Comparatively large numbers of Sinhalese ladies are employing in the various stages of the society and as a result of that they confine with mechanized lifestyle and use to plan for least number of children. However the women of other community are mainly entrusted with the responsibility to look after their family and the majority of them found as housewives. The food habits of Singhalese people mealy for their survival but the other communities have made significant concern of their food and found that close connection with their food and the sex life as they use to take selected food items in which enabling them to increase sexual potentials comparatively.
5. A large number of Sinhalese people are trend to wear trousers, denim, shorts or similar nature items for their clothing requirements and this has caused bad effect for their growth rate as some other communities mostly (Muslim/Tamil) wear sarongs and this will help to minimize the generating heat in side of their testicles and thereby the producing rate of sperms have accelerated and would directly made positive impact on birth rate.
According to the teachings of Islam based on belief in one God and revealed through Muhammad as the prophet of Allah they believes and treated as every birth of child is a blessings of the God and the nature. They are strictly banning of birth controlling or abortions. These communities use to plan for more children an they one on opinion that their all children would not be survived due to unexpected deaths owing to poor health management ,however at present this nature of deaths are very limited according to the development of health sector and there by the growth rate will increase drastically.
Most of the minorities are involving with commercial activities and there fore they plan for more children and after completion of basic education, their children one also take part of their business under the guidance of their parents. The other important factor to contribute for increasing the growth rate of minorities is refrain form alcoholism and smoking due to the direct Influence of their religion and this has positively impact for increase the growth rate by producing healthy community, Saving money, and eliminating unwonted incidents in which could occurred as a result under the influence of liqueur. Further, it has observed that another segment of minority who settled in upcountry as labors has also shown a remarkable growth due to ignorance on birth controlling and their negligence.
CHAPTER FIVE
FINDINGS AND RESULTS
1. According to the questioner provided to the different ethnic groups to find out the relation ship between economic status and the number of three or more children they have or wiling to have following results were received.
Figure iii Relationship between economic status and number of children
Analysing the results received it is obvious that irrespective of the economic states Muslims are willing to have more children than other ethnic groups. Tamils shows more willingness than Sinhalese. Sinhalese are more concern about their economic status than other ethnic groups when thinking the number of children. Through an interweave carried out with a midwife who works with a Muslim population revelled that Muslim husbands force their wives to have at least seven children while most of the Muslim women thinks it as a trouble. She also revelled that most of the Tamils have more children even when they don’t plan due to the poor education, lack of knowledge on birth controlling and negligence.
As per the questioner provided to find out the relation ship between social status and the number of three or more children they have or wiling to have following results were received.
Figure iv Relationship between social status and number of children
Analysing the relationship between social factors and the number of children majority of 80% Muslims willing to have or have more children irrespective of their social states. Even when they don’t have enough space in their houses they generate the maximum number of children. The rich Muslims always build up stare houses as much as they can even in a small land in order to accommodate maximum number of family members and or several families. Sinhalese show the lowest rate of 9% as they are more concern about the facts such as space they can provide to children in their house, education of the children and their future aspects. Most of the Sinhalese women do jobs in public and private sector than other women. There for they trend to have less number of children than other women.
5. Most of Sinhalese reaching their mid of young age use to create some ideological barriers in fear of entering to the married life due to various reasons. Most of them are on opinion that they need to be accomplished their physiological needs before the marriage. In fact some are trying to complete their education or to reach top level appointment or to complete the construction of their houses prier to the marriage. Similarly another segment in the Sinhalese community those who already married trying to complete above achievements before planning for children. At the end of all these process they plan for one or two kids considering the possibility to provide close attention and financial relief.
CHAPTER SIX
CONCLUSION
1. The Declining growth rate of Sinhala race and the incensement of other communities would adversely effect with the Sinhalese future in numerals ways. Basically the future job market will definitely occupy by the minorities as they are usually flaunt in three languages than Sinhalese. As minorities are assisted by the NGO’s and international communities financially and ideologically moat of the minorities are spreading according to the geographical margins and this areas are thickly populated by them and search areas unofficially restricted for Sinhalese. According to the raped increscent of minorities it has reviled that their presence in the parliament has also increased and their by they would be able to make considerable influence over the Sinhala ethnic group in the future.
It can be identified that other communities such as Muslims and Tamils from other countries like Middle East and India even they are spreading all over the world since the ancient period. But the Sinhalese are settled in Sri Lanka as their native island. So the minority communities have link with such countries and they ready to assist them in any eventuality as the way that Tamil Diaspora help the LTTE during the past conflict period.
As per existing growth rates it is hard to predict a specified time period which Muslim population supersede the Sinhala population as the growth rates are constantly changing. How ever if the present system continues in the future defiantly Muslims population will supersede the Sinhalese. Then they will naturally become the political power of the country.
Tamils fought for a separate state and failed. How ever it jeopardized the survival of every ethnic group in the country. But Muslims can obtain a separate state or govern the country in future without fighting if they continue the present population growth rate continually. Then with the declining growth of the Sinhala race their survival will definitely jeopardized in the future.
CHAPTER SEVEN
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The following recommendations should be implemented in order to over come the negative impact which can be arises in the future.
Awareness programs to be launched targeting Sinhalese to uplift their knowledge and to encourage them for timely marriages and motivate them to plan for early deliveries. After having the third child should encourage for a permanent birth controlling system.
Should not encourage family planning only for Sinhalese and the government should prohibit NGOs who are launching birth controlling programs only among Sinhalese. Family planning methods to be introduced in an effective manner specially for Muslims and Tamil state workers and financial assistance should be provided for poor people irrespective of ethnicity only up to the third child and should discourage for a forth child.
Benefits should be provided by the government to the Sinhalese who can be identified separately in some organisations as the majority (Armed forces, etc) to have a third child.
Comprehensive programs to be implemented by school level to minimise the drug abuse and alcoholism.
Government should impose legislation to discourage having a forth child irrespective of ethnicity to overcome the negative impact of over population.
