Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), led by Velupillai Prabhakaran, is officially formed as tensions increase in Tamil-dominated areas of the North and East.
Sources
Jain Commission Report, August 1997, published in India Today; Interview with Anita Pratap, March 1984, published in Sunday Magazine, India 11-17 March 1984.
Quotations
“I entered politics at a time-in the early seventies – when the younger generation had already lost faith in parliamentary politics. I entered politics as an armed revolutionary. What precipitated the disillusionment in parliamentary politics was the total disregard and callousness of the successive governments towards the pathetic plight of our people.
“I originally formed the movement with a group of dedicated youths who sincerely believed that armed struggle was the only way to liberate our people.
“I named the movement ‘Liberation Tigers’ since the tiger emblem had deep roots in the political history of the Tamils, symbolising Tamil patriotic resurgence The tiger symbol also depicts the mode of our guerrilla warfare. As soon as the Tiger movement was formed, I went underground and lost contact with my family.
“It is wrong to call our movement “separatist”. We are fighting for independence based on the right to national self determination of our people. Our struggle is for self determination, for the restoration of our sovereignty in our homeland. We are not fighting for a division or separation of a country but rather, we are fighting to uphold the sacred right to live in freedom and dignity. In this sense, we are freedom fighters not terrorists,” Velupillai Pirabakaran, leader of the Tamil Tigers, interview with Anita Pratap, March 1984, published in Sunday Magazine, India 11-17 March 1984.
“Revolutionary socialism is my political philosophy. By socialism I mean the construction of an egalitarian society where there is no class contradiction and exploitation of man by man; a free, rational society where human freedom and rights are protected and progress enhanced. Che Guevara is the guerrilla leader who inspires me the most,” Velupillai Pirabakaran, interview published in The Week Magazine, India, 3 March 1986.
Extracts from ‘Assignment Colombo’, J N Dixit (1998)
“The LTTE’s emergence as the most dominant and effective politico-military force representing Tamil interests was due to the following factors:
“First, the character and personality of its leader V Prabhakaran who is disciplined, austere and passionately committed to the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils’ liberation. Whatever he may be criticised for, it cannot be denied that the man has an inner fire and dedication and he is endowed with natural military abilities, both strategic and tactical. He has also proved that he is a keen observer of the nature of competitive and critical politics. He has proved his abilities in judging political events and his adroitness in responding to them.
“Secondly, he has created a highly disciplined, and dedicated cadres, a manifestation of which is inherent in what is called the ‘cyanide cult.’ Each regular member of the LTTE carries a cyanide pill and is pledged to committing suicide rather than being captured by the enemy.
“The third factor is the cult and creed of honesty in the disbursement and utilisation of resources. Despite long years spent in struggle, the LTTE cadres were known for their simple living, lack of any tendency to exploit the people and their operational preparedness.
“The fourth factor has been the LTTE’s ability to upgrade its political and military capacities including technological inputs despite the constraints imposed on it by Sri Lankan forces and later by India.
“The fifth factor is a totally amoral and deadly violent approach in dealing with those the LTTE considers as enemies.
“The sixth factor is Prabhakaran’s success in gathering around him senior advisors with diverse political, administrative and technological capacities, which contributed to effective training of his cadres, optimum utilisation of the military equipment which he had, and the structuring of an efficient command and control system.”
Extract from the Jain Commission Report, August 1997
“On 5 March 1976 V. Pirabhakaran led a raid on the State run People’s Bank, Puttur and escaped with half a million rupees in cash and jewelry worth Rs.2 lakhs after holding the employees at gun point. Soon after this crime, V. Pirabhakaran founded the LTTE on 5th May, 1976. After the founding of the LTTE, on Aug. 16, 1977, the Police and the Tamil Youth, clashed in Jaffna. This triggered off anti- Tamil riots resulting in major loss of life and property of Tamils and the creation of a large number of refugees. Violence became frequent in the Northern Peninsula. At least one incident of violence and confrontation was reported every day.”
Related events
Assassination of Jaffna mayor Alfred Duriappah
The LTTE kills 13 soldiers in an armed ambush in Jaffna
The LTTE joins the Eelam National Liberation Front (ENLF)
Former TULF MPs, V. Dharmalingam and A. Alalasundaram are assassinated
Prabhakaran’s first press conference in 12 years, April 2002
Prabhakaran and other Tiger heads are killed
Related features
Feature: Assassination of an activist
Feature: 25th anniversary of ‘Black July’, 1983
Feature: 18th anniversary of expulsion of northern Muslims by LTTE
Feature: Historical roots of conflict in Sri Lanka
