Velupillai Prabhakaran
Velupillai Prabhakaran (Sometimes spelt Velupillai Pirapaharan), born November 16, 1954) is the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil-Eelam (LTTE), a militant organization fighting for Tamil self-rule in North-East Sri Lanka. He was born in Velvettithurai, Sri Lanka. In 1972, at the age of 18, he founded an organization named Tamil New Tigers(TNT). In May 5, 1976, TNT was renamed as Liberation Tigers of Tamil-Eelam ( LTTE)
Prabhakaran is widely known as a militant leader, and has been black-listed as a terrorist in many countries, including USA and India. But among a significant number, the vast majority of who are Tamilians, he is viewed as a freedom fighter who fights against the racial suppression in Sri Lanka. The issue of his legitimacy as a leader of his people and his acceptance as a fighter rather than a terrorist, remains controversial. It is also worthy to mention that, few other nations have declared him as a rebellion leader - an ambiguous term that carefully avoids the issue..
It is widely believed that during his childhood, Prabhakaran who hails from the Karaiyar (fishermen) caste was abused by the Vellalas, the upper caste people in Sri Lanka and also by the ethnic Sinhalese. This is believed to have served as an impetus for his violent struggle against these people in later years. Significantly though, he is married to a Vellala woman. It is also widely believed that he has converted to Christianity.
Notable Words
- It is the plight of the Tamil people that compelled me to take up arms. I felt outraged at the inhuman atrocities perpetrated against an innocent people. - The Week, March 1986
External Links
Referenced By
List of socialists
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