question_answer

  How have Belgium and Sri Lanka dealt with the question of power sharing differently? Or What is the difference between the policies adopted by Belgium and Sri Lanka regarding power sharing arrangements?

Answer:

                  Belgium is a small country in Western Europe with complex Ethnic composition. Of the country's total population 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language. Another 40 per cent live in Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining 1 per cent speak German. In spite of these diversities the leaders decide to make an arrangement for power sharing. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their Constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country. The Constitution provides that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Contrary to it, leaders of the Sinhala community in Sri Lanka sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority and refused to share power with the Tamils. The democratically elected government adopted a series of Majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.