Conflict has marked Sri Lanka since its independence from British rule in 1948. The Sinhala, Tamils and the Muslim Moor are the three largest ethno-religious groups. The Tamils in the north engaged in armed resistance since the 1970s when one of the world’s longest civil wars started. A temporary peace was reached through agreement in 2002, but civil war took deadlier modes in 2006-2009 with thousands of casualties, including many civilians. Territorial autonomy governance, property matters and the Åland Example have been considered on various occasions, including during visits to Åland.