Rise of LTTE at Sri Lanka

1. Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka
–Liberators or Terrorists?
Chaminda Hettiarachchi
Presentation at
AGSIRD Conference-2007
Paris
20th June, 2007

2. My Perspective
• Researcher in Political Sciences and Management Studies
• Peace and Non-violent Activist
• Sinhalese by ethnic group
• Buddhist by religious orientation

3. Introduction to Sri Lanka

4. Introduction to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island situated in
the Indian Ocean, at the base of the
Indian Sub-Continent, 880 km
north of the equator.
The total land area is 65,610 sq. km.
( Size similar to Ireland))
Due to its strategic location as a
gateway to East from West, It has
been always a meeting point for
different cultures.
"Sri Lanka - The finest Island in all the world" - Marco Polo

5. Introduction to Sri Lanka
“Multicultural Sri Lanka”
Total Population is about 19.5 mn ( 2004 est.)
Languages:
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language)
18%, English is the “link” language and is spoken by about 10% of the
population
It is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual country
Source – CIA The world fact book
Ethnicity
Sinhalese
74%
Tamil
18%
M oor
7%
Others
(Burgher,
M alay, and
Vedda )
1%
Religion
Buddhist
70%
Hindu
15%
Christian
8%
Muslim
7%

6. “Multi Cultural Sri Lanka- Adam`s Peak”
mountain 7,360 feet (2,243 meters) high
At the top is a huge 'footprint',
Muslims claim -to belong to Adam, Buddhists believe- the mark of Buddha
Hindus - Lord Shiva and for Christians- St. Thomas
It is has been a place of pilgrimage´of multi-faith for over one thousand years

7. Introduction to Sri Lanka
A Brief History
– Sri Lanka has continuous written history of 2500 years
– The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from
northern India.
– Buddhism was introduced beginning in about the mid-third century B.C., and a
great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa
200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200).
– In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty seized power in the north and
established a Tamil kingdom.
– Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th
century.
– Island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was
united under British rule by 1815.
– As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in
1972.
Source – CIA The world fact book

8. Introduction to Sri Lanka
Socio- Economical Performance
• Multi-party democratic institutions and traditions
from 1930s (“ Model Colony” of British Empire)
• Early economic liberalization compared to other
developing countries (in 1970s)
• High investments in Human Development and
promoting gender equality
• Average annual economic growth of 4.5-6.0 %
despite civil war

9. Introduction to Sri Lanka
Socio-Economical Indicators
GDP Per Capita US$ 3,570 (ppp)
Average GDP Growth Rate 5%
Population below poverty line 22%
Adult Literacy 93%
Life expectancy at birth 72 years
Infant mortality rate 15 deaths/1,000 live births
Source- UNDP 2004
“Comparatively Higher Development Indicators for the
low per capita income”
Source – CIA The world fact book

10. HDI of Selected Countries
Source – HDR 2004 by UNDP

11. Socio-economical development in Sri Lanka-
Conclusions
• Sri Lanka has been a “early mover”
among developing countries to adopt a
market economy
• Sri Lanka has done well compared to its
South Asian neighbors
• However, Sri Lanka has not performed in
its full potential particularly compared to
countries in East Asia
• Impact of ethnic war, high political
polarization and poor socio-economic
policies

12. Ethnic War in Sri Lanka

13. Comparison of two ethnic groups
Sinhalese Tamils
% of population 74% 18%
Language Sinhala Tamil
Main Religion Buddhism Hinduism
Concentrated in South North and East
“Migrated from” North India South India

14. 14% of Population Claims 40% of Land
Demand for a Separate State

15. Historical events led to Ethnic Conflict
• British rulers favored Tamil minority in Administration
• Colonization had established an English-speaking elite that represented both ethnicities.
• Sinhalese nationalism dominated the political climate of the island in 1950s.
• 1956 on the “Sinhala-Only” campaign and soon Sinhalese became the sole official
language of the country.
• Discrimination against the Tamil population in 1960s as Buddhism was afforded “the
foremost place”
• Discrimination for Tamils in Jobs and Education
• Tamils had responded to their oppression largely through political demands and non-
violent means (satyagraha).
• However, the 1970s gave rise to an increasing trend in Tamil separatism and militancy.
• In 1978, several militant youth groups form the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) or Tamil Tigers.
• Major outbreaks of violence occurred in 1977 and 1981.
• July 1983, Riots ( Sinhalese mobs killed 3,000 Tamil Civilians )
– the beginning of the modern civil war in Sri Lanka.
“ Tamil demands for seperate state started as a non-violant movement and
tranformed to a violent and campaign”

16. Cost of War
• 60,000 deaths
• Infrastructure destruction in N-E
• 1mn Refugees and IDPs
• Human right violations
– Child Solders
– Abductions
• Threats of land mines
• Resources for military building not social development
• Slow down of Economic development
• Tarnished International Image for Sri Lanka

17. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE)
“Tamil Tigers”

18. Theoretical Model Used for LTTE
• McKensy's 7 S Framework
Shared
Vision
Structure
Strategy
Systems
Style Staff
Skills

19. Shared Vision
• Separate State as “Tamil Homeland”
• Values
– Dedication
– Commitment
– Sacrifices (Martyrs)
• Modern values “No caste”, “No dowry”

20. Structure
• Prabakaran – Supreme Leader of LTTE
• Total Number estimated 14000-18000 carders
• The LTTE has seven wings.
– (1) Military
– (2) Political
– (3) Intelligence
– (4) Sea Tigers
– (5) Women
– (6) Finance and
– (7) Procurement.
• International Operations “Network Organizations”

21. Strategy
• Guerilla warfare
• Finance by illegal means
• Suicide attacks
• Eliminate political opponents
• Political negotiation on military power
• International campaign and operations
• Western country “friendly” attitude

22. Staff
• Military training
• Child solders
• Forced recruitment
• Killing ex-cadres
• Full loyalty
• “Karuna” Fraction

23. Systems
• International Propaganda
• sophisticated communication network
• Navy and Air force
• Global smuggling network of drugs/arms
• International financial network
• Collaborative networks with other terrorist
groups

24. Style
• Authoritarian
• Morale leadership
• “Prabakaran as a god”
• Martyrs as Celebrities

25. Skills
• Technological expertise
• Military excellence
• Wide network of academics
• International smuggling network
• Links with other terrorist groups

26. McKensy's 7 S Framework
• 7 Ss at LTTE
Shared
Vision
Tamil Elam
Structure
Hierarchical
Strategy
Guerilla
warfare
Systems-
Smuggling
network
Style
Authoritarian
Staff
Committed
force, martyrs
Skills
Efficient war
mechanism

27. Other Criteria
• Assassination of Former Foreign minister
• Ceasefire violation
• No tendency in “democratization”
• Avoiding people to vote in democratic elections
• Building military infrastructure during the
ceasefire
• Killing more Tamil people than Sri Lankan
military forces

28. LTTE attacks on economical centers
Central Bank of Sri Lanka International Airport

29. LTTE Massacre of Sinhala, Muslim & Tamil
Civilians
Buddhist Monks gunned
down by the LTTE

30. LTTE Attacks on Holy Places
Temple of Tooth-Kandy (UNESCO World Heritage site)

31. LTTE Suicide Bomber
A Suicide Kit of LTTE Tamil Tigers

32. Main Political Leaders –Victims of LTTE
Lakshman
Kadirgamar
-Former Sri Lankan
Foreign Minister
Rajiv Gandhi-
Former PM of India
R.Premadasa –
Former Sri Lankan
President

33. LTTE- Tigresses
Ultimate weapon ... the cyanide capsule
Source-www.hinduonnet.com

34. LTTE - Child Soldiers
LTTE child soldier captured by the Army

35. Conclusions
• From a “liberation movement to a terrorist
group”
• Appealing international community for a
“noble cause” by hiding ground reality
• Use international support for home
terrorism

36. Discussion

37. Regional Implication
• South Asia
– Navy
– Tamil Nadu
– Political Instability
• Asian Implication
• Global Implications

38. Counter Measures by the SLG
government
• Political solution / power decentralization
• Protecting rights and dignity of Tamils and
other minorities
• Rectifying previous mistakes
• Multi-cultural society
• International PR campaign
• Defensive military strategy

39. Role of Academics and Civil Society
• Academic Research
• Objective Opinions
• Democracy
• Pressure Groups

40. Role of International community
• Pressuring democracy and HR violation
• Political Solution
• Monitor illegal financing of their funding
(TRO)
• Assistance for peace process
• International collaboration for anti-terrorist
measures