This paper is part of a project titled ‘A History of Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka: Recollection, Reinterpretation and Reconciliation’. It traces the historical development of the switching of identities within the Muslim community and analyses the political and economic reasons that sparked them off. The discussion is broken down into four historical periods to achieve this purpose: the pre-colonial, colonial, post- independence and the civil war years. The last period focuses on the challenges facing the Muslim identity in the face of militant Tamil nationalism and the birth of a Muslim political party, the SLMC. These articles are expected to reach many people, including scholars, media personnel, political activists and NGO personnel, provoking thought and discussion on a range of relevant subjects. Thereby, guiding decision makers at all levels when they aim to establish a viable framework for peace.