Who were the Tamil Tigers?

Summary

The script recounts the brutal Sri Lankan Civil War from 1983 to 2009, focusing on the infamous Tamil Tigers, who fought for a separate Tamil homeland. Known for their suicide squads and child soldiers, they challenged the world's fourth-largest army and assassinated political leaders. The narrative explores the group's ideology, their brutal tactics, and the complex dynamics of the conflict, including the Sri Lankan government's response and the war's impact on civilians.

Takeaways

• 🇱🇰 The Sri Lankan Civil War lasted from 1983 to 2009, involving a conflict for a Tamil homeland on an island dominated by a Sinhalese majority.
• 🐯 The Tamil Tigers, also known as LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), were the dominant militant group, known for their brutal tactics and ideology.
• 🎭 The leader of the Tamil Tigers, Velupillai Prabhakaran, was influenced by popular culture and formed the group with a symbol of a tiger on a blood red background.
• 🚫 The Tamil Tigers enforced strict discipline, including abstaining from cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and even relationships among its members.
• 🔪 The group was known for its use of child soldiers and female suicide bombers, which became emblematic of their commitment to the cause.
• 🔫 The Tamil Tigers were involved in brutal acts of violence, including assassinations of political figures and attacks on civilians, which escalated the conflict.
• 💣 The group conducted numerous bombings in cities, including Colombo, targeting public spaces and causing significant civilian casualties.
• 🌐 The Tamil diaspora played a crucial role in funding the Tamil Tigers, with a significant portion of their budget coming from expatriate communities.
• 💰 The Tamil Tigers had a sophisticated international fundraising network, involving criminal activities such as drug trafficking and a global network of front companies.
• 🎥 The group was meticulous with its propaganda, using media to inspire international sympathy and donations, even training 'Truth Tigers' to film their attacks.
• 💣 The Tamil Tigers were responsible for a significant number of suicide attacks, with a notable number of female suicide bombers among them.
• 🌍 The conflict had a global impact, with the Tamil Tigers' activities and influence reaching far beyond Sri Lanka's borders.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of the Tamil Tigers?

The Tamil Tigers fought for a separate Tamil homeland on the island of Sri Lanka, which was dominated by a Sinhalese majority.

What was the Tamil Tigers' official name and what does it stand for?

The Tamil Tigers are officially known as the LTTE, which stands for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, with 'Eelam' being the Tamil word for Sri Lanka.

Who was the leader of the Tamil Tigers and what was his background?

The leader of the Tamil Tigers was Velupillai Prabhakaran, who was born into a low caste and was influenced by comic books and Clint Eastwood films during his teenage years.

What were the ideological principles of the Tamil Tigers?

The Tamil Tigers were broadly socialist with a Tamil twist, advocating for the emancipation of women and a strict code of conduct that included abstaining from cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and even relationships.

How did the Tamil Tigers enforce their commitment to their cause?

Tamil Tigers enforced their commitment by having each member wear a vial of cyanide around their neck to be bitten down on if they were ever captured, symbolizing a refusal to surrender.

What was the impact of the Tamil Tigers' actions on the Tamil caste system?

The Tamil Tigers fought against the restrictiveness of the Tamil caste system, aiming to break traditional norms and advocating for the emancipation of women within their ranks.

What was the significance of the Tamil Tigers' use of child soldiers and female suicide bombers?

The use of child soldiers and female suicide bombers became emblematic of the Tamil Tigers' commitment to their cause, showcasing their willingness to sacrifice and fight to the death.

How did the Tamil Tigers fund their operations?

The Tamil Tigers were funded primarily by the Tamil diaspora, which provided about 90% of their budget, as well as through criminal activities such as drug trafficking and extortion within the Tamil community abroad.

What was the role of the Tamil Tigers' 'Sea Tigers'?

The 'Sea Tigers' were the Tamil Tigers' naval wing, responsible for sinking Sri Lankan naval vessels and operating a fleet of merchant ships called the 'Sea Pigeons' for smuggling operations.

How did the Tamil Tigers use propaganda to their advantage?

The Tamil Tigers used propaganda to stir international sympathy and attract donations, filming their military attacks and editing them into slick packages, as well as broadcasting their own television channel via satellite.

What was the impact of the Tamil Tigers' actions on the Sri Lankan government and society?

The Tamil Tigers' actions led to a siege mentality within the Sri Lankan government, shaping its actions in the later phases of the conflict, and brutalized the Sinhalese population, leading to a cycle of violence and retaliation.