To pick up on my previous post. Here is an account of how the English language was administered in Sri Lanka from its removal to its reinstatement and then removal yet again.
We take up the story in 1971:

1971 - Youth Insurrection
A rebellion by the non English speaking youth of Sri Lanka.
Including a plan to burn the public libraries. Since the youth felt that the English books represented power and privilege, quite symbolic of the antagonistic attitude to English which remains till the present day.

Fast Forward——> 1983
The Jaffna public library burnt down…… History repeats itself.

1972
Sri Lanka is declared a republic. Sinhala remains the official language with Tamil as a national language.

1978 - New Consitution
Adopted by the government. Sinhala remains the official language. Tamil is "declared" to be an official language. Not much progress there except having a written constitution. Some "other" countries do not have a written constitution most notably the United Kingdom.

1987 Indo-Sri Lankan Accord
This was a peace accord officially signed on the 29th July 1987 by J.R.Jayewardena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Rajiv Gandhi. Prime Minister of the Republic of India. The word "Socialist" in describing Sri Lanka shouldn’t be forgotten since there are more socialist leanings here than there are in India.
Typically the Sinhalese majority saw the signing of a peace accord as a "defeat," this was proven by the authorities declaring the day a day of mourning. Black flags where hung in Colombo and "mala batha" (funeral food) was served in boutiques.
In hindsight, I wonder why the majority weren’t celebrating peace? Is this the start of the pig headed nature? Which accounts for our current woes?
English is added to the other two official languages.

November 1987 - 13th Ammendment to constitution.
English has its status weakened to the "link" language. The official languages are as previous.

1997 - Education reforms.
English is introduced at Grade one in schools. While English medium instruction from Grade five permitted in schools with the "means to do so" (that’s if they can find any competent English teachers…..). The introduction of "General English" as an A - Level subject.

That’s my condensed version, hope my commentary helps to elucidate things.
For a more up to date version check this out
Please feel free to add any comments.