India's decision was preceded by two historically significant developments: (1) the emergence of a strong Sinhala ethnic identity in Sri Lanka, often accompanied by the explicit marginalization and suppression of the Tamil minority in that country; and (2) an emerging foreign policy of regional hegemony in New Delhi. Together these two developments have moved toward a fatal convergence across the Palk Straits. One of its most dramatic aspects is the phenomenon of political assassinations, not only of many factional leaders and regional politicians but also of the leader of the moderate Tamils, the head of another Tamil group, the Sri Lankan Defense Minister, and the former Indian Prime Minister. Tragically, no easy solutions appear to exist to such conflicts, because the processes of chauvinistic exclusion, rewriting of history, political patronage, geopolitical compulsions are accelerating. The very basics of identity in plural contexts require re- imagining is this impasse between national integration and ethnic identity is to be resolved. Notes (Author abstract modified)