Challenges and implications to ethnic identity of minority Malays in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Ethnicity of minority group shifts in a plural society with a strong influence of core ethnic groups and thus minorities give up their ethnic identity and become identified with the larger society. Although Malays in Sri Lanka constitute 0.3 % of total population and are dispersed widely throughout the country, the prospect of their integration with core ethnic groups is largely significant compared to other ethnic groups. Although much has been written about Malays and their genesis in the island, studies on integration of Malays and its implications on their ethnicity has suffered scholarly neglect for many years. Thus, this study examines the degree of integration of Malays with other ethnic groups in Sri Lanka and the factors contributing to endanger their ethnicity. This is a qualitative study consisting of observation, interviews and focus group discussion as data collection techniques. This study argues that high integration by Malays with other ethnic groups has significantly endangered their ethnicity. This is attributed to mixed educational and working environment, interspersed settlement, shared religion, and absence of prejudice and stereotype against Malays by others. It is assumed that the identity of Malays would be eroded in future if the present trend of integration persists in the community level.