Chapter 1: The Deep Roots of Tamil Nationalism and the Birth of Liberation
The Thamileelam National Liberation Struggle was not a spontaneous, temporary event; it was the explosive culmination of the self-determination aspirations that Tamil nationalism had carried for centuries against the systematic oppression of Sinhala majoritarianism. The Tamil nation, with its distinct culture and one of the world’s most ancient languages, considered the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka its Traditional Homeland.
✯. The Onset of Historical Injustice: Following Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948, the requests for safeguards and power-sharing for the Tamil people were rejected. This was followed by a relentless series of discriminatory acts: the revocation of citizenship, the ‘Sinhala Only’ Act (1956), the standardization of education, planned Sinhala colonization, and state-sponsored ethnic pogroms (1958, 1977, 1983 – Black July). These actions effectively crushed the efforts of moderate Tamil political leadership.
✯. The Failure of Non-Violent Resistance: The non-violent protests, Satyagrahas, and political pacts pursued by the Tamil leadership were consistently rejected, abrogated, or violated by the Sinhala majoritarian governments. This historical failure led Tamil youth to the philosophical conclusion that ‘armed struggle is the only option.’ It was in this critical context that liberation movements, notably the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), emerged, championing the goal of an independent state: Thamileelam.
Chapter 2: The Ordeals, Agonies, and Crises of the People and the Fighters
The Thamileelam Liberation Struggle was a landscape of unparalleled sacrifice. The darkest chapters of this conflict chronicle the inhuman suffering and profound anguish endured by both the civilians and the combatants.
✯. The Crises of the Fighters (Maaveerar): Liberation fighters sacrificed their youth and personal desires for the ultimate goal. They endured relentless war, starvation, lack of basic amenities, rigorous training, the constant shadow of death, and the pain of wounds. Their Tamil National Liberation Patriotism and Love for the Tamil Language (Mozhipatru) were the shields that allowed them to treat their own lives as mere sacrifices. Often, they faced the crisis of fighting the powerful Sri Lankan military simultaneously with regional powers, such as the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF).
✯. The Agonies of the People: The people in the Tamil Homeland were the lifeline of the struggle, and their suffering was immense. Their daily lives were shattered by military sieges, aerial and artillery bombardment, targeted killings, sexual violence, destruction of property, and repeated forced displacements. The catastrophic climax, particularly in areas like Mullivaikkal during the final stages of the war, represents the pinnacle of human tragedy and genocide experienced by the Tamil nation. These people sustained the struggle by providing shelter, food, intelligence, and moral support to the fighters, forming the essential bedrock of the resistance.
Chapter 3: The Philosophy of Maaveerar Sacrifice and National Love
The Maaveerar (Great Heroes or Heroic Martyrs) stand as the philosophical and spiritual zenith of the Thamileelam National Liberation Struggle. They are the thousands who deliberately sacrificed their lives for the liberation and self-respect of their nation.
✯. The Immeasurable Sacrifice (Azhaperiya Thiyagam): The sacrifice of the Maaveerar was not merely death in battle; it was a profound symbol of Unparalleled Self-Denial. It was a Heroic Asceticism (Veerathuravarum) where personal wants were abandoned for the collective ideal of the common good.
✯. National and Linguistic Devotion: The Tamil National Liberation Patriotism and Love for the Language (Mozhipatru) displayed by the Maaveerar was unwavering. Their primary objective was the protection of the Tamil language, culture, and Homeland from the cultural and political aggression of Sinhala majoritarianism. Their dedication aimed to restore the self-respect and honor of the oppressed nation.
✯. The Maaveerar Uprising Events (Ezhuchchi Nigazhvugal): The annual Maaveerar Day events on November 27 are not mere memorials; they constitute a Crucial Historical Duty and Remembrance in the history of Tamil National Liberation. These events are sacred rituals that pass on the memory of the martyrs, honoring them as the seeds of the nation, and instilling the importance of the liberation ideal in the next generation. They serve to awaken the collective conscience of the nation and ensure the continuity of the struggle.
Chapter 4: The Tamil People’s Unwavering Resolve for National Liberation
Throughout every phase of the conflict, the Tamil People’s Devotion to National Liberation and Unshakeable Resolve for Tamil Ethnic National Liberation served as a mighty shield for the struggle.
✯. People’s War: Though the Thamileelam struggle took the form of armed resistance, its core strength derived from mass support. Despite facing immense loss, the Tamil people never surrendered their fundamental right to self-determination. This resolute spirit strengthened the Tamil voice in political negotiations and in the international arena.
✯. The Diaspora’s Contribution: Following the setbacks in the homeland, Tamils scattered across the globe (the Diaspora) play a vital role in amplifying the call for the liberation of the Homeland. Through financial aid, political awareness campaigns, and documentation of human rights abuses, they ensure the Continuity and Extension of Tamil Ethnic National Liberation on the international stage.
Chapter 5: The Betrayal and the Challenge to National Liberation
The history of the liberation struggle is also marked by setbacks and temporary defeats, often facilitated by the self-serving actions of certain individuals.
✯. Corrupt Politicians: Some Tamil Politicians Who Deviated and Betrayed Tamil National Liberation sacrificed the deep political aspirations of the Tamil people for their own narrow political gains and positions of power. Their willingness to accept temporary concessions from the oppressive state in exchange for abandoning the long-term goal of national liberation is a bitter truth of history.
✯. Individuals Mortgaging the Cause: Individuals Preparing to Mortgage Tamil National Liberation for Self-Interest are a persistent threat to any national movement. These figures deliberately distort the history, goals, and sacrifices of the struggle to undermine the collective strength of the nation. Their actions are seen as a serious betrayal designed to dilute the liberation dream of the Tamil nation.
Chapter 6: The Movement of the National Liberation Wheel and the Next Generation
The future of the liberation struggle depends critically on how its history is transmitted to the next generation.
✯. Historical Awareness: The Pitiable State of a Generation Growing Up Ignorant of Tamil National Liberation and History must be reversed. Young people, both in the Homeland and the Diaspora, must understand the history of the Maaveerar’s sacrifice and the philosophical basis of the national struggle. The Next Generation That Continues to Travel the Path of Tamil National Liberation and History is the vital force that will fulfil this goal.
✯. Resilience Amidst the Dark Age: Today, the Tamil National Nation Continues its National Liberation Journey from an International Dark Age. Amidst severe military, diplomatic, and international challenges, and despite significant crises, the Tamil Nation moves forward with unwavering commitment. The Importance of the Entire Tamil National Nation Marching Resolutely to fulfill the Dream of Liberation and guarantee the Freedom of the Tamils is paramount in the current geopolitical landscape. Unity and resolution are the very forces that ensure the Tamil National Liberation Front moves the Tamil National Nation Towards Liberation.
Conclusion: Following the Footprints of Our Predecessors
The Thamileelam National Liberation Struggle is a glorious chapter in the history of the Tamil race. It is an epic of ideals written with the blood of the Maaveerar and the tears of the people. The unparalleled sacrifice of the Great Heroes and the unshakeable resolve of the Tamil people justify the moral legitimacy of the national liberation struggle to the world.
“Following the path of our predecessors and setting our footsteps in their footprints, we shall journey forward with the Great Dream of Tamil National Liberation.”
This pledge carries the weight of historical duty, the challenge of the present, and the vision of the future. The journey for Thamileelam National Liberation will continue until the ideal is achieved.
𓊈 Written by Eelaththu Nilavan𓊉
