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.
Ceylonese Tamils made up an overwhelming majority in the civil service of British Malaya and Singapore prior to independence.
[3] Sri Lankans in Singapore and Malaysia formed the "Lanka Regiment" of the Indian National Army, directly under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
[4] Former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew once said: In terms of numbers, the Ceylonese, like the Eurasians, are among the smallest of our various communities.
In the early days of Malaysia's and Singapore's history the civil service and the professions were manned by a good number of Ceylonese.
I believe that the future belongs to that society which acknowledges and rewards ability, drive and high performance without regard to race, language or religion.