Rethinking Resistance: A Humanitarian Case Study on the LTTE and Tamil Struggle for Justice

 The protracted conflict in Sri Lanka (1983–2009) has been internationally misunderstood through the lens of terrorism, without fully accounting for the longstanding grievances and lived experiences of the Eelam Tamil population. This report, rooted in firsthand field research, human rights documentation, and survivor testimony, provides a humanitarian analysis of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as an organized response to systemic injustice, state violence, and post-colonial ethnic marginalization.

Key Findings

Over 146,000 Tamil civilians remain unaccounted for following the final stages of the war (UN Panel of Experts, 2011), with over 60,000 civilians killed prior to 2000, and massive displacement across decades.

The LTTE arose as a de facto civil authority, administering schools, courts, healthcare, and law enforcement in Tamil-majority areas—functions that would typically be the responsibility of a state.

The group’s recruitment of women in leadership and combat roles marked unprecedented gender shifts within the Tamil community, paralleling historic liberation movements globally.

In contrast to terror tactics targeting civilians, many LTTE military operations, such as the Katunayake Air Force Base attack, avoided civilian harm—a critical distinction when analyzing motives and legitimacy.

State Conduct and Civilian Impact

The Sri Lankan state's use of Tamil civilians as military cover and the "Malaysia Model" of counter-insurgency, involving surveillance and embedding civilian infrastructure into military strategies, raises deep legal and ethical questions.

Despite over 200,000 military personnel still occupying the North and East post-2009, Sri Lanka projects an image of reconciliation. However, militarization continues to limit civil administration and land ownership for Tamils.

Sinhala civilian deaths during the war number (1983 to 2009) between 1,000–2,000 (unofficial estimates), while 268 civilians were killed in the 2019 Easter Bombings—attacks widely attributed to Islamist extremists, not the LTTE. This distinction is vital in any fair historical analysis.

Global Relevance and Policy Alignment

This report does not challenge Western or Indian interests, but rather invites them to support long-term peace and democratic governance in Sri Lanka by upholding:

Transitional justice mechanisms that recognize the pain of all communities without equating insurgency with terrorism in blanket terms.

De-militarization of civilian life and equitable political representation for Tamils as steps toward true reconciliation.

Preventive diplomacy, where recognizing legitimate grievances can help avoid future conflict, extremism, and regional instability.

Conclusion

The LTTE’s portrayal as a terrorist group should be revisited in light of historical context, structural violence, and humanitarian necessity. Tamil resistance must be understood as part of a broader struggle for dignity, survival, and political voice, not merely through military engagements. This approach builds bridges rather than burning them—and opens space for diplomatic, responsible reengagement with the Tamil cause.

By: Balananthini Balasubramaniam | Small Drops | April 2025

(Disclaimer: Images are AI generated and are used for representational purposes only)

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