.....That's the point.
As always in history, the Sri Lankan Government can't hope that this problem will fade away. They will only deepen the hatred by continuing repression, control and force. A whole new generation of "terrorists" will be born, and no-one will have peace.
Instead, the needs, rights and dignity of the Tamil race should be observed. That way true peace lies.
But this cannot happen because the West wants total control of the minerals in the Tamil areas. Why do you you think our press look the other way? Why do you think the Sri Lankan Government can get away with genocide and war crimes?

Is this a standard power struggle between religious or ethnic groups? Why should we support one over the other? How are the Tamils oppressed by the (Buddhist?) majority?

Genuine questions, I have no understanding of the situation.

Or links to useful information that explain it in a nutshell.

thanks!

I found these articles in red pepper seemed a good background- but i don't know enough myself to know how thoroughly they cover the issues. Anyone else suggest better?

 http://www.redpepper.org.uk/Background-to-brutality

 http://www.redpepper.org.uk/The-challenges-of-solidarity

Hope this is useful x

Suggest the following:

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/05/430293.html

It's a little hard to give a quick summary as with all conflicts it is very complex but will give it a go. The Sri Lankan tamil people have their roots in sri lanka for thousands of years, but the sinhalese like to portray them as Indian Tamils that have settled there (although some were brought in by the british to work the tea plantations) when Sri Lanka was granted independence the Tamils (25 % of the population) werent given proportionate seating in parliment. This led to lots of friction and things escalated. I think one of the biggest triggers was the Sinhala only act which as the name suggests made Sinhala the only official language thus disenfranchising much of the Tamil population who spoke Tamil and English (from misionary schools), protests against the act were met with state violence. Peacefull and political based efforts aimed at self determination were oppresed. There were various riots and attacks on the Tamil population and their interests, often with state backing along with other discrimatory policies (cant go over them all now) as well as government settlment programs to populate Tamil areas with Sinhalese.

Essentially young unemployed tamils got the shits and took up arms. All though there is all this media talk about them having child soldiers or killing civilians, whilst there have no doubt been cases. Whats not reported is the crimes of the Sri Lankan backed paramilitaries, or the SLA or the crimes of the Sri Lankan government in regards to supression of the press.

I think Lasantha Wickrematungs (a Sinhalese journalist mudered in January) posthumous editorial is essential reading.

 http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm