Abstract:
This paper attempts to critically examine the lifestyle and cultural values
of the people of Jaffna in the postwar period from an ethical point of
view. Nowadays, cultural degeneration is considered a serious problem
confronting the people of Jaffna. The growth, pride, uniqueness and
identity of an ethnic group are contingent on the cultural characteristics
of that group. Hence, in the practical life style of Tamil community,
culture is regarded as a central unit. Disciplines and noble values have
been preserved among the people of Jaffna via culture. As a result,
Jaffna has been a unique location distinguishable from other regions.
However at present, there seems to be a decline in the importance of
cultural values among the populace of Jaffna. Identities that are linked to
ethnicity and culture appear to lose their value, these tendencies have
been observed by the Tamil speaking community and triggered criticism
from social activists. Even though different groups are engaged in
charting the cause of the development of Jaffna, they have ignored to
look at the cultural core of this region. Before the end of the war, Jaffna
society upheld a rigid code of moral behaviour. The people showed a lot
of interest in protecting their cultural identities. However, the limitless
freedom available to the younger generation has shaken the foundation
of the cultural life of Jaffna while making the life pattern of the future
generation uncertain. Against this backdrop, this paper emphasized the
important of protecting the cultural values of Tamils and examines the
forces that are responsible for cultural decline in Jaffna.
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