Sri Lankan Civil War

Sri Lankan Civil War. The conflict was a protracted armed struggle fought between the Government of Sri Lanka and the separatist militant organization, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It spanned over a quarter of a century, from 1983 to 2009, making it one of Asia's longest-running civil wars. The war's conclusion in 2009 resulted in the total military defeat of the LTTE and the death of its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Background and origins

The roots of the conflict lie in post-independence policies perceived as discriminatory by sections of the Sri Lankan Tamil minority, particularly the Sinhala Only Act of 1956. Escalating ethnic tensions between the majority Sinhalese people and Tamils led to periodic riots, most severely in 1958, 1977, and the devastating Black July pogrom of 1983. The rise of Tamil militancy, advocating for an independent Tamil Eelam state in the north and east, saw the emergence of groups like the Tamil United Liberation Front and armed factions including the LTTE, which eventually eliminated rival groups like the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization. The failure of political negotiations, such as those pursued by Appapillai Amirthalingam, and the hardening of positions on both sides created the conditions for full-scale war.

Major phases and military campaigns

Initial LTTE successes included the capture of the Jaffna peninsula, leading to the launch of major government offensives like Operation Liberation in 1987. The deployment and subsequent conflict with the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from 1987 to 1990 marked a complex phase. A period of failed peace talks under President Ranasinghe Premadasa was followed by intense warfare in the 1990s, including the LTTE's capture of the Elephant Pass base and the pivotal Battle of Mullaitivu (1996). The government's largest campaign, Operation Jayasikurui, failed in 1999. A Norwegian-brokered Ceasefire Agreement of 2002 led to a fragile truce, which collapsed after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The final, decisive phase began with the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who oversaw a massive military build-up. Key final campaigns included operations in the East and the relentless northern advance culminating in the Battle of Kilinochchi, the Battle of Mullaitivu (2009), and the final siege on the Vellamullivaikkal beach, where the LTTE leadership was destroyed.

International involvement and diplomacy

The conflict drew significant regional and global attention. India, under Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, initially provided training to Tamil groups before brokering the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and deploying the IPKF. Rajiv Gandhi's subsequent assassination by the LTTE in Sriperumbudur severely strained relations. Norway acted as the primary peace facilitator from 2000 onward, with diplomats like Erik Solheim leading talks. Major military support for the Sri Lankan government came from Pakistan, China, and Israel, while the United States and the European Union proscribed the LTTE as a terrorist organization. International bodies like the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross were repeatedly involved in humanitarian and human rights discussions, especially during the final stages of the war.

Human rights and humanitarian impact

The war was characterized by severe atrocities and mass casualties. The LTTE was notorious for suicide bombings, such as the Central Bank bombing, the use of child soldiers, and the assassination of political figures including Lakshman Kadirgamar and Ranasinghe Premadasa. Government forces were accused of widespread human rights violations, including the Bindunuwewa massacre and attacks on civilians. Several high-profile massacres occurred, including the Kumarapuram massacre and the Anuradhapura massacre. The final months saw hundreds of thousands of civilians trapped in a shrinking conflict zone, with reports of severe shelling in areas like the so-called No Fire Zone, leading to major investigations by groups like the United Nations Human Rights Council and calls for accountability.

Aftermath and legacy

The war's end left a deeply scarred nation facing immense challenges. The government, led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, declared victory and began large-scale infrastructure development in the former conflict zones, particularly the Northern Province. The defeat of the LTTE left a political vacuum for Sri Lankan Tamils, with the Tamil National Alliance becoming the main representative. International pressure for accountability led to United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 and the establishment of domestic mechanisms like the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. The war's legacy continues to influence Sri Lankan politics, seen in the rise of Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism, the political careers of wartime commanders like Sarath Fonseka and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and ongoing demands for transitional justice and political devolution for the Tamil community.

Category:Wars involving Sri Lanka Category:Separatist conflicts in Asia Category:Conflicts in 2009