The conceptualization of an ethnic identity is complicated when one considers how this identity is understood by the diasporic community and by the homeland community. This article argues that the second-generation Sri Lankan Tamil diasporic community in Toronto conceptualize their Tamil ethnic identity in a manner that supports their right to engage in homeland politics. However, not all Tamils in Sri Lanka share this understanding. Drawing on over one hundred interviews conducted among second-generation Tamils in Toronto and their age-cohort in Sri Lanka, this article argues that the very premise upon which the diasporic population base their right to engage in homeland politics and their right to claim membership of a shared ethnic identity may not be justified by those in the homeland. These diverging perspectives of ethnic identity challenge the role of the diasporic community in homeland affairs.

中文翻译：

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斯里兰卡泰米尔侨民和家园的案例：共同的民族认同？

当人们考虑侨民社区和本土社区如何理解这种身份时，族裔身份的概念化就变得复杂了。本文认为，多伦多的第二代斯里兰卡泰米尔侨民社区以支持他们参与祖国政治的权利的方式将他们的泰米尔族裔身份概念化。然而，并非所有斯里兰卡的泰米尔人都认同这种理解。本文借鉴了对多伦多的第二代泰米尔人和他们在斯里兰卡的同龄人进行的一百多次访谈，认为海外人口参与祖国政治的权利和要求成为国家成员的权利的前提是共同的族裔身份可能不适合本国人。