The attached articles state that the United National Party (UNP) lost the elections in three provinces: Western, Northwestern and Southern Provinces. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) won the elections in Western Province where its nominee was sworn in as chief minister in May 1993. The Democratic United National Front (DUNF), which won a small number of seats, plays a decisive role in this province since the SLFP, which has a relative majority in the Western Province Council, needs DUNF support to remain in power. However, despite the clear numerical strength of the united opposition which included the DUNF and the SLFP, the governors of Northwestern and Southern Provinces appointed United National Party (UNP) nominees as chief ministers.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 21 May 1993. "Sri Lanka Plunges into Fresh Political Crisis." (NEXIS)

. 19 May 1993. "Ruling Party Gets More Seats, but Loses Crucial Councils." (NEXIS)

. [Hong Kong, in English]. 18 May 1993. "Ruling Party Loses Control of Key Local Councils." (FBIS-NES-93-095 19 May 1993, pp. 42-3)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 20 May 1993. "Ruling Party Wins in Provincial Polls; 'Severe Drubbing' in Western Province." (NEXIS)

The Guardian [Manchester]. 19 May 1993. John Rettie. "Setback for Sri Lanka Ruling Party; Provincial Elections Have Ensured an End to Hegemony." (NEXIS)

Lankapuvath [Colombo, in English]. 21 May 1993. "Three Provincial Council Chief Ministers Sworn in." (FBIS-NES-93-099 25 May 1993, p. 74)

Reuters. 26 May 1993. BC Cycle. "Court Rejects Sri Lanka Opposition Request." (NEXIS)

. 21 May 1993. BC Cycle. Feizal Samath. "Sri Lanka's Ruling Party to Run Disputed Councils." (NEXIS)

According to a Tamil Eelam Society settlement worker in Toronto, Tamil-Sinhalese intermarriages are marginal (10 Febr. 1994). In general, there is no hostility from either community toward the spouses unless the political situation becomes tense (ibid.). The settlement officer added that since most of these marriages occur in Colombo, where both groups live together, spouses do not face hostility from LTTE members either, most of whom live in the northeast region of the country (ibid.). As for the Sri Lankan authorities, they do not display any particular attitude toward couples who intermarry (ibid.).

A professor of comparative religions at Acadia University indicated to the DIRB in a telephone interview that Tamil-Sinhalese intermarriages were always well accepted prior to 1983 (10 Febr. 1994). According to him, there are a fair number of them nowadays as well and such marriages are not surprising (ibid.). The professor corroborated the information provided by the settlement worker as to the changing of the communities' attitude in times of political turmoil. Similarly, he indicated that intermarriages are most likely to occur in urban areas, mainly in Colombo but also a few in cities such as Kandy and Galle, as well as in the more culturally mixed rural eastern province (ibid.). According to the professor, the Sri Lankan authorities do not have any particular attitude toward Tamils and Sinhalese who intermarry (ibid.).

Further or corroborating information on this topic is currently unavailable to the DIRB.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Professor of Comparative Religions, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. 10 February 1994. Telephone interview.

Tamil Eelam Society of Toronto. 10 February 1994. Telephone interview with settlement worker.