Bibliography

Works Cited
(2009). Tamil Tigers. Retrieved November 6, 2010, from US Department of State: http://www.state.gov

(2007). Tamil Tigers. Retrieved November 6, 2010, from Mahalo: http://www.mahalo.com

(2010). Tamil Tigers. Retrieved November 6, 2010, from Wikipedia: www.wikipedia.com

Mail Foreign Service, (2009). Unstoppable Sri Lankan Army Closes is on Tamil Tigers. Retrieved November 7, 2010, from : www.dailymail.co.uk/news

Bell , S. (2009, May 18). Biography: Velupillai Prabhakaran. Retrieved November 7, 2010, from National Post: www.nationalpost.com

(2009, May 21). Prabhakaran. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from The Economist: http://www.economist.com

(2010). Sri Lanka Timeline. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk

(2005). Tamil Eelam. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from : http://flagspot.net

(2001). LTTE. Retrieved November 8, 2010, from Satp: http://www.satp.org

(2009). Sri Lanka: Tamil Tigers Forcibly Recruit Child Soldiers. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org

(2009, May 10). Tamil Protestors Close Toronto Highway. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from CNN: www.cnn.com

(2010, August 12). Tamil Tigers Entry Into Canada Feared. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from Times of India: http://www.timesofindia,indiatimes.com

(2008). Child Soldiers of LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists in Sri Lanka. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from SPUR - Society for Peace, Unity, and Human Rights in Sri Lanka: http://www.spur.asn.au

Relates to Nationalism

The situation between the Sri Lankan military and the Tamil Tigers relates to nationalism because people want to feel safe and secure in their own country, but when their are extremist groups fighting the military and a civil war occurring it is hard to feel safe. Couples want to be able to raise their children without having to worry about violence and negative exposure to situations in their country. Also, the LTTE created a bad reputation for Sri Lanka, because other countries may base first impressions on the civil war and suicidal bombings that occurred, instead of basing their opinions on what Sri Lanka has to offer as a nation.

Sri Lanka Pictures

Sri Lankan homes after war

Sri Lanka map

Sri Lankan children

What extent is it justified?

It is believed that the actions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam should be justified to a small extent. Although they were trying to stand up for what they believe in, the manner in which they responded to the situation was absolutely brutal. Many people died who deserved to live, families had to grow up in war torn areas, and children were exposed to great amounts of violence. On top of this, many family were either evacuated or displaced from their homes, and in some cases even lost family members. For one group to gain so much control of a country is absolutely astonishing!

Some may say it is extremely unjustifiable because it takes a lot of work to get a whole government military involved. Clearly, the Sri Lankan Civil War was based on ongoing events throughout the years, and did not happen over night. For a group to feel the need to act out that badly is repulsive, and there would have been much healthier and safe options in which they could have proved their points. In many cases, violence is not the answer, but the Tamil Tigers failed to grasp that concept. The worst part is that the LTTE did not even win their land claims after the civil war ended, therefore sending them back to the exact same situation that originally caused all the brutality of Sri Lanka in the first place.

In other words, the Tamil Tiger rebels completely changed a country, and caused grief and fear all over the world. They left many negative legacies behind, and now have to face the punishments and grief of all their actions. It is unfortunate that the country of Sri Lanka had to go through such tough and devastating times.

Current Status

Since the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam by the Sri Lankan army, the rebel group has been more of a non-event. After their defeat, the Tamil Tigers stated, "[We] have decided to silence our guns". Currently, the LTTE has no power in Sri Lanka, and the country is starting to have more order from the government. There are still some crimes committed by former LTTE members, but not hardly as bad as before. At the moment, Sri Lanka is making sure that the LTTE does not regroup and act out again, as well as trying to build up a good name and good reputation for the country and its people. Families that were exposed to high amounts of violence or displaced from their homes are working on creating a 'new life' in regards to housing, family life, jobs, etc. As well, there have been no recent new stories of the Tamil Tigers either.

Predictions

In the future, it is predicted that the LTTE will not have an uprising again. Although they gained a lot of support, followers, and power through out the Sri Lankan Civil War, they also lost a lot of respect around the world. One may argue that with the loss of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and loss of the war, the rebel group has fallen apart. Also, by being recognized as a terrorist group and banned from over 30 countries, the Tamil Tiger rebellions will have even more issues to deal with, such as traveling to and from different countries and getting jobs. Also, many citizens will have to learn how to live their own life, even after the loss of parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other significant others in the fight.

With all of the mentioned above, that is not to say that the separationists of LTTE will never act out again. Chances are that the members who are still unhappy with their nation will act out and commit crimes, just not in as large of a manner as before.

Hopefully Sri Lanka can learn from this experience and move forward to create a stronger nation and perhaps new government laws and policies. The Sri Lankan army learned a lot from the experience, and could base war strategies and training around the violence and bloodshed they dealt with almost daily. It can also help prepare the country if another rebel incident breaks out in the future. Also, some believe that the Sri Lankan government may be able to create some type of contract or treaty, giving people in the North and East of Sri Lanka more control of their own affairs. By doing so, people living in those areas may feel as though they do have an independant state.

Sri Lanka flag

In the News Around the World

• November 4th, 2010 - LTTE member arrested in Germany. A 35 year old German man was arrested in November 4th, 2010 at Dusseldorf Airport. He was being deported from Madagascar back to Germany. Due to privacy laws his name has not yet been released. This man worked with the German branch of the LTTE, from 2005 until 2009. Being a member of a terrorist group, such as the Tamil Tigers, is against the law in Germany, and therefore the 35 year old man is now being held in custody.