Charting Uncertain Futures: Diaspora, Citizenship and Belonging among Up-country Tamils In contrast, regardless of ethnicity, 49 per cent of respondents were of the belief that the interests of their particular ethnicity were better served in 2015 compared to one year before, but this figure differed strongly among ethnic groups (Social Scientists’ Association 2015, 18). Only 33 per cent of Sinhalas felt that the interests of their community were more ensured or more greatly ensured in June 2015 compared to a year before, whereas a very significant number of minority participants, 79 per cent of Sri Lankan Tamils and of Muslims, but only 61 per cent of Up Country Tamils, opined that their interests were more ensured compared to the previous year (Social Scientists’ Association 2015, 18). Somewhat paradoxically, Up-country Tamils were more likely to say that interethnic relationships would improve under Sirisena’s presidency, yet they were less likely than other ethnic minority communities to feel that the interests of their own community were ensured. In other words, while Up-country Tamils were more optimistic and hopeful about overall ethnic relations in Sri Lanka, they did not necessarily believe that those improvements, which are usually plotted on Sinhala-Tamil axes, would have space to address Up-country Tamil interests. They are more hopeful for the future of the island than ever, but do not feel that overall improvements in post-war ethnic relations will improve their own situations. For the twenty-six years that the war lasted, it appeared obvious to many Sri Lankans and scholars, myself included, that the war presented countless limits on Up-country Tamils’ everyday lives and its end would bring not only peace but also prosperity. But these problems have persisted since May 2009. Just as the 17