From: Patterns of Global Terrorism, 2000. United States
Department of State, April 2001.
World Tamil Association (WTA)
World Tamil Movement (WTM)
Federation of
Associations of Canadian Tamils (FACT)
The Ellalan Force
The Sangillan
Force
Description
Founded in 1976, the LTTE is the most powerful Tamil
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
and other urban centers. The Tigers are most notorious for their cadre of
suicide bombers, the Black Tigers. Political assassinations and bombings are
commonplace. The LTTE has refrained from targeting foreign diplomatic and
commercial establishments.
Strength
Exact strength is unknown, but the LTTE is estimated to
have 8,000 to 10,000 armed combatants in Sri Lanka, with a core of trained
fighters of approximately 3,000 to 6,000. 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 northern Sri Lanka, 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.
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 any
other equipment and supplies it needs. 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.