TERRORIST
GROUP
PROFILES
MILNET
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
From: Patterns of Global Terrorism. United States Department of State Publication 10321
Other Known Front Organizations
World Tamil Association (WTA)
World Tamil Movement (WTM)
Federation of Associations of Canadian Tamils (FACT )
Ellalan Force
The Sangillan Force
Description
Founded in 1976, the LTTE is the most powerful group in Sri Lanka and uses
overt and illegal methods to raise funds, acquire weapons, and publicize its
cause of establishing an independent Tamil state. The LTTE began its armed
conflict with the Sri Lankan government in 1983 and relies on a guerrilla
strategy that includes the use of terrorist tactics.
Activities
The Tigers have integrated a battlefield insurgent strategy with a terrorist
program that targets not only key personnel in the countryside but also
senior Sri Lankan political and military leaders in Colombo. Political
assassinations have become commonplace and culminated in May 1993 with the
fatal bombing of President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Other key figures
assassinated since 1990 include moderate Tamil leader A. Amirthalingam
(1990), Cabinet Minister Ranjan Wijeratne (1990), former Indian Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi (1991), Army General Denzil Kobbakaduwa (1992), Navy
Chief Vice Admiral Clancy Fernando (1992), and opposition party leader
Lalith Athulathmudali. [The LTTE has refrained from targeting Western tourists out of fear that foreign
governments would crack down on Tamil expatriates involved in
fundraising activities abroad.]
Strength
Approximately 10,000 armed combatants in Sri Lanka; about 3,000 to 6,000
form a trained cadre of fighters. The LTTE also has a significant
overseas support structure for fundraising, weapons procurement, and
propaganda activities.
Location/Area of Operation
The Tigers control most of the northern and eastern coastal areas of Sri
Lanka but have conducted operations throughout the island. Headquartered in
the Jaffna peninsula, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran has established an
extensive network of checkpoints and informants to keep track of any
"outsiders" who enter the group's area of control. The LTTE prefers to
attack vulnerable government facilities, then withdraw before reinforcements
arrive.
External Aid
The LTTE's overt organizations support Tamil separatism by lobbying foreign
governments and the United Nations. The LTTE also uses its international
contacts to procure weapons, communications, and bomb-making equipment. The
LTTE exploits large Tamil communities in North America, Europe, and Asia to
obtain funds and supplies for its fighters in Sri Lanka. Information
obtained since the mid-1980s indicates that some Tamil communities in Europe
are also involved in narcotics smuggling. Tamils historically have served
as drug couriers moving narcotics into Europe.
Created: Created: 04/02/97
Last Updated: 02/05/97
Page Maintained by George Goncalves - ggoncalves@nps.navy.mil