Indigeneity and Nationalism in Sri Lanka: Competing Historical Narratives and Post‐Conflict Memory Politics

ABSTRACT

This study examines competing historical interpretations that shape Sinhalese and Tamil political identities in postcolonial Sri Lanka, focusing on how indigeneity and nationalism have been employed to assert claims to legitimacy, land, and power. Through a systematic literature review (SLR) of more than 40 scholarly sources published between 1983 and 2023, the study identifies key patterns in debates on ethnic identity, state formation, and collective memory. Guided by the question of how constructions of indigeneity and nationalism influence Sinhalese–Tamil political narratives, the study finds that Sinhalese nationalism often draws on narratives of ancient Buddhist civilization and territorial belonging. In contrast, Tamil nationalism emphasizes Dravidian cultural continuity and historical settlement. The findings highlight how competing historiographical narratives have shaped ethnic mobilization, state policies, and conflict dynamics, while underscoring the importance of pluralistic historical frameworks for reconciliation and peacebuilding.