Written by:
Eelathu Nilavan
✧ Introduction – From Oppression to Uprising
In the latter half of the 20th century, as the world oscillated between challenges and upheavals, a small island in the heart of the Indian Ocean—Sri Lanka—began scripting the most brutal chapter of its history. The Sinhala nationalist state structure unleashed genocide, repression, and fascist policies against an ancient people—the Tamils—burying justice and leaving a dark stain on history.
From this oppression emerged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), an organization that became the symbol of resistance, answering every act of subjugation with defiance. This article stands as a historical record of the depth, justice, and impact of that liberation struggle.
✦ The Justice of the War: A Nation’s Struggle
Every liberation struggle is fundamentally rooted in the demand for justice. The Tamil uprising in Eelam was no different—it was a fight for the right to live with dignity, for the recognition of their language, culture, religion, and way of life.
After gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka systematically denied Tamils political representation, education, and employment opportunities. The 1956 “Sinhala Only” language law relegated Tamils to second-class citizenship, marking the beginning of state-sponsored oppression and Tamil resistance.
✦ The Rise of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – A Force Awakens
Formed in the 1970s, the LTTE became the pillar of emotional and armed resistance. Their emergence was not born out of a desire for war but from failed political negotiations. Only when peaceful means were exhausted did armed struggle become inevitable.
With specialized wings—the Black Tigers (suicide squad), Sea Tigers (naval unit), and Air Tigers (aerial unit)—the LTTE built one of the most sophisticated, structured, and disciplined military formations in history. No other self-determination movement has achieved such a high level of military organization and tactical innovation.
✦ The Necessity of Armed Struggle: Why War Became the Only Path
Facing a Sri Lankan state equipped with modern weaponry, intelligence networks, and international backing, the Tamil people had no choice but to adopt armed resistance as their last line of defense.
When a state engages in ethnic cleansing under the guise of governance, the oppressed have the inherent right to self-defense under international law. The Tamils, in response, built their own military and governance structures.
✦ A Sovereign Structure: The Formation of a Nation
Tamil Eelam was not just a movement—it was a de facto state with fully functional institutions:
❖ Judiciary System
❖ Finance & Revenue Department
❖ Education (Tamil Eelam Public Examinations)
❖ Healthcare System
❖ Intelligence Wing (TIS)
❖ Women’s Military Wing
❖ Youth Movements
❖ National Flag, Currency, and Memorial Rituals
These institutions proved to the world that Tamil Eelam was a well-organized, self-governing entity.
✦ The Commanders: Masters of Warfare
The LTTE had over 70 military commanders, each a strategic genius. Some notable leaders:
Lt. Col. Thileepan
Colonel Shankar
Colonel Soosai
Colonel Velayudham
Colonel Bhaskaran
Colonel Kirumi (Colonel Kittu)
Colonel Kannan
Colonel Ruban
Colonel Shankar (Vaithilingam Chornalingam)
Colonel Ramanan
Air Wing Commander Kalingan
These commanders transformed the LTTE’s vision into a precise military science.
✦ The LTTE’s Impact on Global Military History
The LTTE revolutionized warfare by:
✰. Pioneering asymmetric warfare tactics, including sea-based guerrilla attacks and deep-penetration operations.
✰. Establishing unbreachable security zones that even the Sri Lankan state could not infiltrate.
✰ Forcing global military analysts to study their **innovative combat strategies.
✦ Conclusion – The Face of Truth
The LTTE was not a terrorist organization—it was a government born out of war, fighting to protect its people. While the world turns a blind eye to genocidal regimes, it unjustly vilifies those who resist annihilation.
Today, the younger generation must learn this true history. The Tamil Eelam liberation struggle was a refined, disciplined movement for freedom—a nation’s ultimate sacrifice.
The Tamil identity is not just about land, language, or heritage—it is also about the truth of their struggle, their valor, and their honor. This history must be passed down as a duty to future generations.
[To be continued: Part 2 – The History of the Tamil Eelam Women’s Military Wing]
Eelaththu Nilavan | 05/07/2025
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Amizhthu’s editorial stance.
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