On the Fact that the Civil War in Sri Lanka Resulted in More Deaths (Approximately 65,000) than the U.S. Suffered During its Entire Stay in Vietnam

It was a tragedy (one that the media didn't cover nearly enough - no oil involved, I guess) and what made it even more of a tragedy was the fact that the two populations; the Sinhalese and the Tamils, had lived in virtual harmony for decades (during both the British occupation and the early years of statehood; initially referred to as Ceylon) and it was only after the demagogues in government started politicizing these ethnic differences and instituted preferential policies (in this instances on behalf of the majority Sinhalese) that the situation started to explode (race riots leading to terrorism leading to war)...............................................................................................Of course, what makes it even more difficult to stomach (and, yes, it is often difficult to alter the course of these conflicts) is the fact that if only the Tamils had gotten some small concessions in the mid-'70s (more autonomy in their own regions, allowing English to be used in the universities, etc.), it is entirely possible that the virulent bloodletting (not to mention the radicalization of the Tamil resistance) of the '80s and '90s could have been avoided (government once again showing that they are wholly incapable of controlling the "course of events").......Racial politics, folks - best to avoid them when you can.