A Social Model Within a Liberation Struggle
Though the people of Tamil Eelam were engaged in a national liberation struggle, their homeland was not just a war zone. Rather, it evolved into a unique form of grassroots social governance. This governance structure emerged as a comprehensive and disciplined system established by the Tamil Eelam administration for a population rejected by the Sri Lankan state. Its core pillars were human welfare, education, healthcare, law, and order.
Education – An Intellectual Weapon for Tamil Youth
Building a functional education system during wartime was an extraordinary feat. In the Tamil Eelam-controlled regions:
The Thayaga Education Board coordinated all educational activities.
Students studied from Grade 1 to A/L (Advanced Level) in a structured manner.
A standardized Tamil Eelam Examination Certificate system was developed.
The curriculum included Tamil nationalism, liberation ideology, Eelam history, and the right to self-determination.
Teachers were professionally trained; textbooks and exams were administered independently.
This education system not only preserved academic continuity but also instilled national consciousness and social responsibility in younger generations.
Healthcare Services – Life-Saving Warriors
Despite the immense challenges of war, Tamil Eelam developed a resilient healthcare infrastructure:
The Tamil Eelam Health Service was the central body providing medical support.
Field hospitals operated under extreme conditions, delivering emergency care to the wounded.
Pregnant women and children received essential maternal and child care, including vaccination programs.
Medical depots, community clinics, and village health centers operated systematically.
Even during the final siege at Mullivaikkal, medical teams risked their lives to continue serving civilians.
Internal Administrative Structure – Organized People’s Governance
The internal governance of Tamil Eelam was not arbitrary. It was a well-organized and people-driven administration designed to ensure stability and justice:
People’s Committees
Local governance was structured at the village, divisional, and district levels through people’s councils.
These grassroots bodies addressed local disputes, resource distribution, and community decisions, reflecting democratic participation.
Judicial and Legal System
Community courts and reconciliation councils handled civil disputes and minor crimes.
Instead of punitive justice, many outcomes focused on restorative justice and community healing.
Local legal mechanisms functioned effectively in the absence of formal state courts.
Women’s Participation and Social Structures
The Tamil Eelam Women’s Front played a central role in governance, public health, and child welfare.
Women were empowered in both civil and political domains, serving in healthcare, education, and law enforcement roles.
Community-based organizations like teacher associations, youth unions, and social development groups functioned independently and efficiently.
✦. Social Services – A Model of Self-Sufficiency
For displaced families, temporary housing, food distribution, clean water supply, and sanitation were arranged efficiently.
Training centers for agriculture, livelihood skills, and cottage industries promoted economic independence.
Welfare programs, including community feeding schemes and orphan care, were organized.
The overall social system was oriented toward collective responsibility, egalitarian participation, and autonomy.
✦. Conclusion: A Blueprint for a Future Tamil Eelam
The social governance system established by the Tamil Eelam Liberation Tigers was more than a survival strategy—it was a blueprint for an independent Tamil nation. The integration of education, healthcare, judiciary, women’s empowerment, and grassroots governance was a revolutionary model for stateless nation-building.
This system demonstrated that an inclusive, structured, and self-governed society could flourish even under siege, serving as a foundation for any future political or administrative setup of Tamil Eelam.
It must be viewed as a people-centered governance movement, rooted in Tamil identity and the unwavering right to self-determination.
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Coming Next:
Part 7 – Resettlement, Refugee Life, and International Legal Struggles Against Genocide.
By: Eelaththu Nilavan | 12/07/2025
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Amizhthu’s editorial stance.
A Historical Documentation. – Eelaththu Nilavan.
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