ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with how Sri Lanka Tamils perceive their history and how they use it. There are differences between the Tamil and the Sinhalese perception of history: Tamil history becomes ever more inclusive and Sinhalese history is exclusive. History, as the history of a state, needed to justify existence in the Tamil case, developed strong linkages with nationalism. Christian Tamils were the first to realize the need to write the History of the Tamils and the first translation of the Yalppana Vaipava Malai was translated into English by Brito in 1979. V. Catacivappillai's history is practically a paraphrase of the Yalppana Vaipava Malai with a few references to additional sources, the Colo Malai, Vaiya Padal, and the Pararasekara Ula. History is practiced explicitly to further the Tamil claims in respect of the Sinhalese, assertion drat as a majority they enjoy certain group rights.
