Sri Lankans in Singapore consist mainly of Singaporeans of Sri Lankan origin whose ancestors came to Singapore before the independence of the island. With respect to ethnic group data in Singapore, Sri Lankans were classified under "Others" until 1970, and have since been classified as "Indians".
History Colonial period The Jaffna Tamils were predominantly large in number amongst people who came to resettle in Singapore and British Malaya in the 19th and early 20th centuries.LankaNewspapers.com - Tamils appointed for Key positions in SINGAPORE - Jaffna originated becomes deputy PM Ever since their arrival in Singapore, they identifying themselves "Ceylonese". They dominated the bureaucracy in Singapore as the British administration preferred employing Ceylonese individuals as bureaucrats in many of their Asian colonies. Ceylonese Tamils made up an overwhelming majority in the civil service of British Malaya and Singapore prior to independence.Outlook India.com - The Jaffna Tamils
In 1909, the Ceylon Tamils, who had grown in number to about 300 families, formed the Singapore Ceylon Tamils’ Association (SCTA).Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple - History Sri Lankans in Singapore and Malaysia formed the "Lanka Regiment" of the Indian National Army, directly under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.lankalibrary.com - Four Lankans die in secret 'independence' war
Former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew once said:
Some Ceylonese-founded institutions from the colonial era still exist. The Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple was founded by Ceylonese Tamils on the appropriately named Ceylon Road. Ceylon Sports Club was established in 1928 at its current premises along Balester Road and continues to function as not only a sports club but a social and charitable institution.
Post-independence In recent years, many Sri Lankans have been coming to Singapore. Sri Lankan domestic workers form a large number of the 150,000 maids in Singapore.www.Breaking News English.com - Report highlights maid abuse in Singapore Many students from Sri Lanka have also been coming to Singapore for further education.SL2College - Sri Lanka students intending to study in Singapore cautioned On 31 July 2010, the Singapore Ceylon Tamils' Association celebrated its 100-year anniversary.
Notable Singaporeans of Sri Lankan descent Politics S. Rajaratnam – Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore (1980–1985), regarded as one of the founding fathers of independent Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam – Current President of Singapore (since 2023) Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam – Leader of the Workers' Party of Singapore (1971–2001) Kenneth Jeyaretnam – Current Secretary-General of the Reform Party (since 2009) Vincent Wijeysingha – Assistant Treasurer of the Singapore Democratic Party (2010–2013), first openly gay politician in Singapore Law K. S. Rajah – Senior Counsel and former Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court of Singapore Philip Jeyaretnam – Lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam – Human rights lawyer Education Lloyd Fernando – Malaysian author and professor at the University of Malaya in the English Department Rohan Gunaratna – International terrorism expert Shan Ratnam – Professor and head of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the National University Hospital Arts Jacintha Abisheganaden – Singer and actress; father is Sri Lankan Tamil Natalie Hennedige – Theatre director and dramatist; father is Sinhalese Neila Sathyalingam – Classical Indian dancer Sharmila Melissa Yogalingam – Award-nominated writer Roshni Karwal – Television presenter and journalist
See also Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora Indian Singaporeans
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