The Rise and Fall of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
2 min readFeb 22, 2023
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was a separatist militant organization that operated in Sri Lanka for nearly three decades. The group was founded in 1976 with the aim of creating an independent state for the Tamil people in the country’s north and east. Over the years, the LTTE became known for its sophisticated tactics and ruthless methods, including suicide bombings and targeted assassinations.
The LTTE was led by Velupillai Prabhakaran, a charismatic and ruthless leader who was revered by many Tamils as a hero fighting for their rights. The group grew in strength and influence over the years, and by the 1990s, it controlled large swathes of territory in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government, led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, launched a major military offensive against the LTTE in 2006, with the aim of crushing the group once and for all. The conflict that followed was brutal and bloody, with both sides accused of committing war crimes and atrocities.
In 2009, the Sri Lankan military succeeded in defeating the LTTE, and Prabhakaran was killed in the final battle. The government declared victory over the group, but the conflict left a deep scar on Sri Lankan society, with tens of thousands of people killed and many more displaced.
The LTTE was known for its sophisticated use of propaganda and media, and its ability to mobilize support from the Tamil diaspora around the world. The group also had a sophisticated network of operatives and supporters, and was able to carry out attacks on targets both inside and outside Sri Lanka.
The LTTE’s downfall was a combination of factors, including the group’s overreliance on violence and terrorism, its inability to adapt to changing circumstances