The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), more commonly known as the Tamil Tigers, was a formidable Tamil militant organization that emerged from the ethnic tensions gripping northeastern Sri Lanka. Its official name in Tamil was தமிழீழ விடுதலைப் புலிகள் (Tamiḻīḻa viṭutalaip pulikaḷ), and in Sinhala, දෙමළ ඊළාම් විමුක්ති කොටි (Damiḷa īḷām vimukthi koṭi). Founded in May 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the organization's core objective was to establish an independent state for the minority Sri Lankan Tamil community, named Tamil Eelam, in the island nation's northern and eastern regions.

This demand for a separate homeland was a direct response to a long history of state policies enacted by successive Sri Lankan governments, which were widely perceived as discriminatory towards Sri Lankan Tamils. These policies, coupled with the often-violent actions of the majority Sinhalese, including a series of anti-Tamil pogroms in 1956 and 1958, fueled a deep sense of marginalization and injustice among the Tamil population.

The Genesis of Conflict and Escalation

From its inception, the LTTE engaged in armed clashes against the Sri Lankan government and its armed forces. The simmering ethnic tensions continued to erupt into violence, with Sinhalese mobs perpetrating further acts of oppression against Sri Lankan Tamils. Notable incidents included the anti-Tamil pogrom of 1977 and the tragic burning of the Jaffna Public Library in 1981, a culturally devastating event that destroyed irreplaceable Tamil literary and historical manuscripts.

The conflict reached a critical turning point in July 1983 with a week-long, government-sanctioned anti-Tamil pogrom carried out by Sinhalese mobs, an event infamously known as Black July. This brutal wave of violence, which saw widespread murder, looting, and destruction of Tamil property, served as the catalyst for the LTTE's transformation from an intermittent guerrilla force into a full-scale nationalist insurgency, effectively marking the beginning of the protracted Sri Lankan Civil War. By this period, the LTTE had consolidated its position as the most dominant Tamil militant group in Sri Lanka and was widely regarded as one of the most feared guerrilla forces globally. Velupillai Prabhakaran, their enigmatic leader, gained a controversial reputation; while some global media drew parallels between him and revolutionary figures like Che Guevara, his actions were also broadly condemned as terroristic.

Tactics, Structure, and International Stance

The LTTE gained global notoriety for its adoption and "perfection" of the suicide vest as a weapon, a tactic that, while not invented by the group, became synonymous with their operations and has since been tragically emulated by numerous other militant organizations worldwide. Initially operating as a conventional guerrilla force, the LTTE gradually evolved into a highly organized and sophisticated fighting entity. Its military wing developed to resemble a conventional army, boasting a dedicated navy (the Sea Tigers), an airborne unit, a robust intelligence wing, and a specialized suicide attack unit known as the Black Tigers, composed of highly committed cadres prepared to undertake suicide missions.

The international community's view of the LTTE was largely defined by its methods. Reflecting global concerns over its violent tactics and high-profile attacks, the LTTE was formally designated as a terrorist organization by 33 countries, including significant global players such as the European Union, Canada, the United States, and India.

India's Complex Relationship and High-Profile Assassinations

India's relationship with the LTTE was particularly intricate and multifaceted. Driven by a desire for regional stability and historical ties, especially given the presence of a large Tamil population in South India, the Indian government initially provided support to various Tamil militant groups, including the LTTE. However, this policy shifted dramatically as the conflict escalated and Indian foreign policy priorities evolved. India eventually became directly involved in combat against the LTTE through the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), deployed to Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990 with a mandate to disarm the Tamil militants and restore peace.

The LTTE gained further global infamy for its use of women and children in combat roles, including as child soldiers, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights organizations. The group was also responsible for a number of high-profile assassinations, which sent shockwaves across the region and beyond. These included the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, an act believed to be in retaliation for the IPKF's intervention, and Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993.

The Long War and Its Aftermath

Throughout the course of the Sri Lankan Civil War, the LTTE and the Sri Lankan military engaged in intense military confrontations, frequently exchanging control of territory in the north and east. The organization participated in four rounds of peace talks with the Sri Lankan government, all of which ultimately proved unsuccessful, largely due to a deep-seated lack of trust and irreconcilable demands from both sides.

At its territorial peak around 2000, the LTTE exerted control over a significant portion of land, estimated to be 76% of the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. Velupillai Prabhakaran continued to lead the organization from its inception until his death in 2009, which effectively marked the military defeat of the LTTE and the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War. The human cost of this prolonged conflict was immense: between 1983 and 2009, more than 80,000 lives were lost, with a disproportionately high number being Sri Lankan Tamils. Furthermore, the war led to a massive exodus, with an estimated 800,000 Sri Lankan Tamils seeking refuge in various destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia, becoming part of a global diaspora.

FAQs About the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

What was the primary goal of the LTTE?

The LTTE's main objective was to establish an independent state called Tamil Eelam in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka, which they claimed as the traditional homeland of the Tamil people.

Why was the LTTE formed?

The organization was formed in response to perceived systemic discrimination and violent oppression against the minority Sri Lankan Tamil community by the majority Sinhalese-dominated Sri Lankan state and its policies, which included land grabs, language-based discrimination, and state-sponsored violence like anti-Tamil pogroms.

Who was Velupillai Prabhakaran?

Velupillai Prabhakaran was the founder and supreme leader of the LTTE from its establishment in 1976 until his death in 2009. He was the architect of the LTTE's military strategy and ideology.

What was Black July?

Black July refers to a week-long, state-backed anti-Tamil pogrom that occurred in July 1983. It involved widespread violence, murder, and destruction of Tamil property by Sinhalese mobs, acting as a major catalyst for the full-scale escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War.

How did India's relationship with the LTTE evolve?

Initially, India provided some support to Tamil militant groups, including the LTTE, due to regional political dynamics and shared ethnic ties with Tamil Nadu. However, this relationship soured, leading to direct military engagement through the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) and culminating in the LTTE's assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

What were some of the LTTE's controversial tactics?

The LTTE was widely criticized for its use of suicide bombings (particularly perfecting the suicide vest), recruitment and use of child soldiers, and carrying out high-profile assassinations of political figures. These tactics led to its designation as a terrorist organization by many countries.

When did the LTTE cease to exist?

The LTTE was militarily defeated in May 2009 by the Sri Lankan armed forces, and its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was killed during the final stages of the conflict, marking the end of the organization's armed struggle.

What was the outcome of the Sri Lankan Civil War?

The civil war ended in 2009 with the military defeat of the LTTE. While it brought an end to the armed conflict, it left a legacy of immense human cost, with tens of thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and ongoing challenges related to reconciliation, accountability, and addressing the root causes of ethnic division.