They are more likely than other Asians to be employed (though they earn slightly less than Indians) and Sri Lankan children do better at school than any ethnic group bar the Chinese.

ECONOMIST: Tamil Tigers in Britain

The Chinese in California are now arguably its most successful ethnic group, says Mr Fong.

ECONOMIST: An official apology for the past marks a story of success

Many of the biggest conglomerates are controlled by ethnic-Chinese businessmen, such as Liem Sioe Liong of the Salim Group and Bob Hasan, a timber tycoon.

ECONOMIST: The Robin Hood of Java

Black Caribbean pupils had the highest permanent exclusion rate by ethnic group, at 41 in every 10, 000, compared with two in 10, 000 Chinese pupils.

BBC: Expulsions rise for second year