Belgium 1. Belgium is a small country in Europe 2. It has a population of a little of one crore, about half the population of Haryana. 3. Of Belgium s total population 59% are Dutch speaking people who live in the Flemish region, 40% are French speaking who live in the Wallonia region. Remaining 1% speak German. In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch-speaking

Whereas, Srilanka is an island nation, just a few kilometers off the southern coast of Tamil nadu. Sri lanka has a diverse population with about 2 crore people, about the same as Haryana. Total Srilanka population has 74% Sinhala- speakers, 18% Tamil speakers and the rest 13% are called Srilanka Tamils .

The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch- speaking community who got the benefit of economic development and education much later. This led to tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French- speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s. The tension between the two communities was more acute in Brussels. Brussels presented a special problem: the Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.

Problem in Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east of the country. Most of the Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhist, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7per cent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhalas.

Independence in 1948. Leaders of Sinhala community tried to dominate and took some majoritarian measures 1956-Act was passed-it declared Sinhala as the official language. Preferential policy-favoring Sinhalas for university education and government jobs. State shall protect and foster Buddhism. These measures created feeling of alienation among Srilankan Tamils. They felt that these policies denied them equal political rights and opportunities.

Srilankan Tamils launched parties and struggles and demandedRecognition of Tamil as an official languageRegional autonomyEquality of opportunity in education and jobs. Though all these demands were denied. In 1980s several politicalorganizations started demanding separate stateTAMIL EELAMDistrust developed and CIVILWAR started.Its results:1.Thousands of people got killed2.Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees.3.Many more lost their livelihood.4.Excellent record of Srilankas economic development, education and health received a terrible setback.

Belgian leaders took a different path : recognized the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. The CONSTITUTION say that: Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in central government. Many powers of the central govt. have been given to the state govt. of two regions and state govt.s are not subordinate to the central govt. In Brussels both communities have equal representation Community government: elected by the people belonging to one language community, no matter where they live. This govt. has a power regarding cultural, educational & language issues.

These arrangements have worked very well for Belgium so far, as it has helped in:- Avoid civic tensions between the communities. Avoided possible division of the country on linguistic lines. When EUROPEAN UNION was formed Brussels was chosen as its headquarters.

MD SARWAR AZAD X A