SRI LANKA, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island off the southeast tip of India. It is inhabited by about 17.5 million people made up of four groups: Sinhalese (75 per cent), Tamils (19 per cent), Moors and Malays (6.5 per cent), Burghers of mixed European (Portuguese and Dutch), Sinhalese, and Tamil blood, and others (less than 1 per cent). They speak three languages: Sinhala, Tamil, and English and follow four religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. The Sinhalese are mostly Buddhist and the Tamils mostly Hindu, but there are Christians in both communities. Moors are exclusively Muslim, and the Burghers almost exclusively Christian but with a few well-known Buddhists among them. While in general the linguistic and ethnic boundaries overlap, a sizeable number, primarily urban, speak English. The Burghers use English as their mother tongue and the Moors speak the language of their local community but more commonly Tamil than Sinhala. The four ethnocommunities, the three languages and the four religions are all represented in the Sri Lankan Canadian community, though in disproportionate numbers. Sri Lankan immigration to Canada began after the Second World War. It is known that 27 Sri Lankan Burghers had immigrated to Canada by 1955. The numbers would increase dramatically after Canada revised its immigration policy in 1967 from an ethnic European basis to a point basis (education, language, ability, professional training) benefiting people of Asian descent.

It is difficult to calculate the size of the Sinhalese and Burgher communities in Canada. In the 1996 Canadian census, 31,435 persons indicated that they were of Sri Lankan ethnic origin. It is likely that this figure is made up primarily of Sinhalese and Burghers. As well, 30,065 individuals declared themselves to be of Tamil origin in census reports as a special category.

The coming of the Burghers to Canada followed changes in the Sri Lankan government and the dethroning of English, and the groups’ perception of restricted cultural marginalization in the homeland. The Sinhalese, mostly English educated, too, came in search of employment and social opportunities, bringing with them many skills.

During the 1980s, the number of Tamils grew rapidly as a result of the bloody civil strife and anti-Tamil riots. Prompted as well by the Canadian government’s special Tamil refugee resettlement program created in 1989, they arrived in Canada as both genuine refugees and economic refugees. Over 1,800 Tamils were admitted during the first year of the program. Thousands more would follow to build new lives for themselves and their families in Canada.

Nearly all Sinhalese, Burgher, and Tamil immigrants in Canada have settled in urban areas. Most of the new arrivals went to Ontario. Small numbers also contributed to the growth of urban communities in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Most of the early immigrants who had British educational or professional qualifications and experience have continued in professional, technical, or managerial positions in Canada. Many of the post-1983 arrivals established small businesses. Tamils, for example, climbed into the entrepreneurial class by becoming grocers and restaurateurs who specialize in South Asian cuisine and food stuffs, marriage and insurance brokers, real estate and travel agents.

The early Sinhalese, Tamil and Burgher communities used to come together to celebrate the New Year and various other social events organized by the Canada-Sir Lanka Association in particular. Unfortunately, as civil unrest continues in Sri Lanka, the ability to maintain public ties among the groups has become increasingly difficult, although personal contacts continue. All, however, have consistently made efforts to integrate with and contribute to Canadian society at large. Among Sri Lankan Canadians, the poet and writer Michael Ondaatje is probably the most well known. He has helped put Canadian literature on the world map and garner international acclaim.