Sri Lankan Civil War LTTE | By Dr. Mahipal Singh Rathore

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Table of Contents

A brutal armed conflict fought for over 26 years in the island nation of Sri Lanka LTTE- Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam Vs Sri Lankan Govt. In 2009 LTTE was defeated completely

Background to the origins of conflict

The two major ethnic groups

Tamils

North and east of§ country Hindus§ Tamil language§ ~15% – minority

Sinhalese

South and central regions Buddhists(Theravada) Sinhala language  70-75%- majority

The Policies of colonial times

British! More representation of Tamils in education, jobs- govt civil service both higher and lower posts. Communal representation brought in.

After Independence in 1948

A parliamentary democracy with MAJORITARIAN RULE was adopted. Tamils could never gain majority in this system Sinhala parties tried to bridge the difference in education and jobs by bringing in policies favouring Sinhalese Sinhala language made the only official language in 1956 – Tamils made to resign from govt jobs.

College education – restricted entry for Tamils (they had high proportion wrt their population) Tamil media and literature banned Confrontational politics began Multiple riots in 1956,58,77,83 In such circumstances of discriminatory policies, armed groups started forming in 1970s.

LTTE (1976) was one of theme Parties like TAMIL NATIONAL ALLIANCE (TNA) carried on political dissent- wanted autonomy for Tamil areas.
 The large Tamil Diaspora supported and funded the Tamil political and armed groups

LTTE

• Leader – Vellupilai Prabhakaran

• Ideology driven

• Secessionist

• Organisation and discipline

• Suicide bombings- against Tamil liberals too

• Ran a shadow govt in north and east regions

• Navy and Air force wings too

Major assassinations SL pres.-Ranasinghe Premadasa -1993 ExPM of India – Rajiv Gandhi 1991 Many cabinet ministers of SL

The Eelam wars

4 phases of war from 1983-2009 1983 – 13 SL army soldiers killed by LTTE – Riots against Tamils – war breaks out

Indian Involvement

From 1983-97 ,Indian govt (RAW) supported and trained various Tamil armed groups. Tamil nadu political parties were in favour of ethnic Tamils (long standing cultural ties) and often helped (covertly) the cause of Tamil groups.

India-Sri Lanka Peace Accord

July 1987 – Rajiv Gandhi and JR Jayewardene Concessions to Tamils (13th amendment) • Language recognised

• Devolution of powers to provinces

• Merger of north and eastern province

• Indian peace keeping force to be sent Most Tamil armed groups accepted peace deal and laid down weapons, except LTTE Indian Peace Keeping Forces- Operation Pawan Initial victories in Jaffna but LTTE moved into jungles. By 1990- public uproar in south forced SL govt to ask India to withdraw its forces. 1991 elections- fears of Rajiv Gandhi being re-elected led to LTTE assassinating him

1990s

Second and Third Eelam wars Attempt on life of PM Chandrika kumartunga Many more suicide attacks Peace efforts failed LTTE used peace time to re arm and recruit more fighters

2000s

’War on terror’’ by USA Norway mediated peace process-2002 Ceasefire agreement. Federal solution Independent state demand dropped by LTTE for the 1st time 2003- 04 talks broke down 2004- Major split in LTTE KARUNA faction 2004- Tsunami wreaks havoc

Eelam war 4

Mahinda Rajapaksa –president 2005 – LTTE assassinated the foreign minister 2006 – Hostilities resume May 2009- SL army corners last of LTTE fighters around Kilinochchi Prabhakaran was killed in fighting

Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)

constituted by govt to look into claims of civilian atrocities and other war crimes by army in the war. War crimes and atrocities by both sides 1 lakh civilian deaths