Colombo - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There is a lot of racial tension in Sri Lanka, particularly against Muslims. Gender roles are very traditional. - Mar 2021
This is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic society and most people tend to get along with one another. But old tensions from the Civil War (which ended in 2009) still have potential to flare up. - Sep 2020
The Sri Lanka war is over and the country seems committed to healing old wounds, but I get the sense there is some lingering tension between ethnic groups, which was exacerbated by the 2019 Easter bombings and the recent elections. - Apr 2020
We are Christians, we haven't experienced much prejudice, none by Buddhists - which is the main religion. Men rule. Women still care for children, prepare meals, etc... even if they work. - Sep 2017
This is a Buddhist country! That said the Muslims run many of the businesses and the Tamil's and their Hindu are also very present. Within their own society there is lots of prejudice between the classes and religious beliefs, however on the surface one wouldn't really notice, especially as an expat. - Mar 2017
There is still some conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese, but expats are generally safe. - Sep 2013
Yes! There are heavy racial issues. Also economic racism: whites=foreigners=wealthy. - Sep 2012
Yes, these problems contributed to the civil war. Sinhalese vs. Tamils/Muslims. Buddhists vs. everyone else. Women are highly discouraged from being out alone after dark. - Dec 2011
Religious prejudice not generally a problem. But tension between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority exist. - Feb 2010
The usual. - Sep 2008
No. - Feb 2008
