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97-569: A need to reorganize the then Para commando battalions was felt as the existing battalions were essentially elite infantry troops. On 15 July 1987, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) gave his approval for the creation of HQ Special Forces and for raising the Special Forces Training Wing (SFTW) to cater for courses specific to special forces which were neither available nor feasible in other schools of instruction. The complete process

194-624: A Tamil homeland, separate from Sri Lanka , in the northern and eastern portion of Ceylon ( Tamil Eelam ). This effort led to a series of armed conflicts with the Sri Lankan Military . In the late 1980s India , feeling considerable pressure from its Tamil citizens, began to intervene on both a diplomatic and military basis. Negotiations led to the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord , signed in Colombo on 29 July 1987, under which

291-741: A nation state . The Federal party decided to sign the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact in July 1957. As the name goes, it was merely an agreement between the two individuals and lacked any legality. It was never approved by the parliament or the ruling party or the Cabinet. However, soon afterwards the agreement was abandoned by the Sinhala party. In 1965, another pact, the Senanayake-Chelvanayakam Pact

388-454: A Bank ( Bank of Tamil Eelam ), a radio station ( Voice of Tigers ) and a Television station ( National Television of Tamil Eelam ). Following the clearance of Kilinochchi by government troops which had been the administrative capital of the de facto LTTE controlled area on 2 January 2009, the LTTE's civil administration system was suspended as the "state" of Tamil Eelam was gradually crushed by

485-715: A DTP operator for a Tamil magazine 'Penne Nee' doused himself with kerosene at the Regional Passport Office, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and set himself on fire to highlight the Tamil plight. In April 2012 DMK president M. Karunanidhi said that India should prevail upon the United Nations to help carve out a separate Tamil Eelam from Sinhalese-dominated Sri Lanka. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha during zero hour, DMK leader T.R. Baalu said tyranny in

582-709: A Sinhala– Buddhist nation state . Though both the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact and the Senanayake-Chelvanayakam Pact were signed, they were not approved by the Sinhalese dominated Sri Lankan Parliament in 1957 and 1965, respectively. The failure of the Sri Lankan Parliament to implement these agreements caused further disillusionment and isolation among Tamils. In the 1970 Sri Lankan parliamentary election ,

679-460: A Special Forces Training School, and at the same time as a Cat 'A' Training Establishment for the Indian Army. The school at present is located at its intermediate or temporary location. The land acquisition process for the permanent location of the school is in progress. The Army needs 1,500 acres for the permanent location. The school will have its airfield in its permanent location. The school

776-599: A Tamil independent state where the rights and freedoms of the Tamils could be protected and nurtured. By 1975, all Tamil political parties merged and became known as the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), which was led by prominent Tamil politician S. J. V. Chelvanayakam . In 1976, the first national convention of the TULF was held at Vaddukoddai , where the party adopted a unanimous resolution called

873-483: A heavy toll and bringing the advance to a grinding halt. Helicopters flying below 2000 feet were also vulnerable, with at least five being shot at and damaged before the Mi-25s took up their offensive role. The IPKF adapted quickly, with its officers taking off the pips of their ranks, wearing slouch hats and carrying oversize back packs. However, as the advance got bogged down, the battalions, instead of manoeuvring around

970-574: A historian, the system of standardisation of marks required the Tamil students to achieve higher marks than the Sinhalese students to get into university. A similar policy was adapted for employment in the public sector, leaving less than 10 percent of civil service jobs available to Tamil speakers. The Federal Party opposed these policies and Chelvanayakam resigned his parliamentary seat in October 1972. The new constitution in 1972 further exacerbated long standing grievances and sense of discrimination for

1067-669: A lot more than what the Sri Lankan government is prepared to give. Nearly a year after the LTTE's loss in the Sri Lankan Civil war the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), in its manifesto for the 8 April general election , renounced its demand for Tamil Eelam and instead campaigned for greater regional autonomy. The TNA said it would settle for a "federal structure" in the northern and eastern provinces with power over land, finance, and law and order, and "if

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1164-662: A new Tamil political party, named the Federal Party , was formed and was led by S. J. V. Chelvanayakam who earlier broke away from All Ceylon Tamil Congress because of the latter's decision to tie up with the UNP . In 1956 the government enacted the Official Language Act (commonly known as the Sinhala Only Act ) which made Sinhala the sole official language of Sri Lanka. The Ceylon Citizen Act and

1261-531: A physical entity but remains as political aspiration among sections of the Eelam Tamil and Eelam Tamil diaspora . In May 2010, New York based lawyer Visvanathan Rudrakumaran formed a Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam intending to use soft power to reach its end. This organisation continues to claim that they represent the Eelam Tamils. Historically, Tamil settlements had been established in

1358-589: A result of reluctance on the part of the IPKF to use heavy weaponry to clear LTTE defences. Furthermore, all the approach roads had been laced with Claymore mines and explosives by the Tigers in its years of fighting with the Sri Lanka Army . The Tigers also made extensive use of improvised explosive devices (IED) which could be remotely detonated from over a kilometre away. During this time Eastern Command of

1455-639: A settlement of people with burial practices similar to that found in the Tamil Nadu region in India and further North was excavated at megalithic burial sites at Pomparippu in the western coast and in Kathiraveli in the eastern coast. These are dated between the 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD. The Jaffna Peninsula was referred to in the Manimekalai (2nd century AD) as Naga Nadu, inhabited by

1552-522: A solution. Though the TULF had adapted a separatist platform, they were still open to peaceful negotiations and decided to work towards a political agreement with President J.R Jayewardene . The outcome was the District Development Councils scheme (DDC) passed in 1980. The District Development Councils scheme was based, to some extent, on decentralization of the government within a united Sri Lanka. DDCs were soon abandoned because

1649-602: A tributary fief of the Pandyan Empire in modern South India in 1258, gaining independence in 1323 with the fragmentation of Pandyan control. By the 11th and 12th centuries AD the upper half of the eastern province had a large Tamil community. Eastern Tamils had feudal organizations that centered around Ur Podiyar at a village level and the Kudi system that controlled social interactions. They also were organized politically as Vannimai chiefs who came nominally under

1746-623: Is believed to be a pragmatic one based on the reality of the political situation in Sri Lanka: the Tamil Tigers have been defeated, the Sri Lankan government/military have the support of the regional super powers (China, India and Pakistan), there is no international support for independence and it is illegal in Sri Lanka to support separatism. However, the TNA's watered down demands are still

1843-479: Is derived from the ancient Tamil name for Sri Lanka, Eelam . In 1956, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the most dominant Tamil political party in Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon), lobbied for a united state that would give the minority Tamils and majority Sinhalese equal rights, including recognition of two official languages—Tamil and Sinhala —and considerable autonomy for

1940-585: Is one of its kind and imparts rigorous training. Most courses conducted at the school require the students to be mentally, physically, and psychologically fit. The school has trained the Special Forces of IAF and the Indian Navy in addition to a host of foreign Special Forces. The Special Forces of the ANA share a special bond with SFTS due to the immense benefit they have acquired in being able to fight

2037-490: Is reached and implemented within five years. International reaction to the LTTE's proposals was generally positive. US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage gave a cautious welcome, saying that the proposal is "the first time I have seen such a comprehensive delineation of the aspirations of the LTTE...it is significant". The European Union's Head of Mission in Colombo welcomed the proposals as an "important step forward in

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2134-511: Is said to have contributed to the airlift, using its Boeing 737s to deliver troops. This short interval also saw the introduction of Mi-8 transport helicopters and the first use of the Mi-25 gunships of No. 125 Helicopter Squadron , along with HAL Cheetah utility helicopters. By end of October the IAF had flown 2200 tactical transport and 800 helicopter sorties. Now reinforced, the IPKF resumed

2231-481: The Batticaloa Lagoon , Kokkilai Lagoon , Upaar Lagoon and Ullackalie Lagoons . Much of the coastline has a number of inlets from the sea, making them excellent inland ports and fishing harbours. The East has a rich biodiversity and is the natural habitat to many species. Following the declaration of independence, which saw large scale movements of people in search of better economic opportunities, and

2328-675: The Constitution of Sri Lanka prohibits violation of territorial integrity of the island nation, outlawing any advocation of Tamil Eelam as a separate nation. During 2009–2010 a number of referendums were held in Eelam Tamil diaspora communities to ascertain support for an independent Tamil Eelam, despite attempts by the Sri Lankan government and its supporters to prevent them. The referendums, although organised by Tamil groups, have been conducted by independent organisations with independent observers. Voters have been asked their opinion on

2425-616: The Eelam Tamil diaspora aspire to create in the north and east of Sri Lanka . Large sections of the North-East were under de facto control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for most of the 1990s–2000s during the Sri Lankan Civil War . Tamil Eelam, although encompassing the traditional homelands of Eelam Tamils, does not have official status or recognition by world states . The name

2522-447: The Eelam Tamil people . This had emboldened younger Tamils to seek ways to form a Tamil homeland (nation) where the rights and freedoms of the Tamil people could be protected and nurtured. In 1973, Tamil parties' call for regional autonomy was replaced with the demand for a separate state called Tamil Eelam; Eelam is the ancient Tamil name for Sri Lanka. Two years later, in 1975, all Tamil political parties merged and became known as

2619-688: The Indian Navy , supported by the Indian Coast Guard , was key in establishing a 300 miles (480 km) long blockade around northern Sri Lanka from October 1987 to disrupt the Tigers' supply and communication routes. It was at about this time that the MARCOS forces (Marine Commandos) of the Indian Navy first went into action. Detachments of the IMSF (Indian Marine Special Forces, as the MARCOS

2716-700: The Indo-Pakistani War by allowing Pakistani ships to refuel at Sri Lankan ports. When Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi sent the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1987 to restore normalcy in the region, the disastrous efforts of the IPKF was blamed on the lack of co-ordination between the IPKF and R&AW. Its most obvious manifestation was the Heliborne assault on LTTE HQ in the Jaffna University campus in

2813-568: The Naga people . They were early ancestors of the Eelam Tamils who adapted Tamil culture and language. The Pallava dynasty trace their origin back to a fusion between the Chola king Killivalavan and the daughter of the Naga king Pilli Valai . Tamil royal dynasties in this period are known to have patronized Tamil Saivite culture in the east that paralleled the growth of the community in

2910-651: The Northern Province after receiving more than 278,000 votes (68%). In the Eastern Province the TULF won 4 of 10 seats after receiving nearly 140,000 votes (32%). Eelam Tamils constituted 92% and 43% of the population in each of the provinces respectively. In March 2010 the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the largest political group representing the Eelam Tamils, dropped its demands for an independent Tamil Eelam but continues to demand greater autonomy through federalism . The TNA's change of policy

3007-671: The Official Language Act were seen as discriminatory policies towards the minorities and led to increased ethnic and political tensions between the two communities. The Federal Party (FP) opposed both the Ceylon Citizenship Act and the Sinhala Only Act and as a result became popular amongst the Tamil population. As a result of their popularity the Federal party became the most dominant party in

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3104-405: The Tamil Nadu weekly Ananda Vikatan found 55.4% of Indian Tamils in the state supported the separation of Tamil Eelam, while 34.63% supported a federal Tamil Eelam. Notable supporters of independence include politicians Vaiko , Thol Thirumavalavan and Nedumaran . Directors Bharathiraaja , Seeman and Ameer Sultan are strong advocates of the independence of Tamil Eelam. K. Muthukumar ,

3201-568: The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF). In 1976, the first national convention of the Tamil United Liberation Front was held at Vaddukoddai , where the party adopted a unanimous resolution called the Vaddukodai Resolution. This resolution charged that the Sinhalese government, with the use of the constitution of 1972, had used its power to "deprive the Tamil nation of its territory, language, citizenship, economic life, opportunities of employment and education thereby destroying all

3298-479: The United Front led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike came to power. This new Sri Lankan government adopted two new policies that were considered discriminatory by the Tamil people; the government introduced a policy of standardisation to regulate university admissions, which was interpreted as a scheme to reduce the intake of Tamil and other minority students into the Sri Lankan educational system. A similar policy

3395-559: The Vaddukodai Resolution . This resolution charged that the Sri Lankan Government had used its power to "deprive the Tamil nation of its territory, language, citizenship, economic life, opportunities of employment and education thereby destroying all the attributes of nationhood of the Tamil people." The resolution further called for the "Free, Sovereign, Secular Socialist State of Tamil Eelam". Evidence of

3492-533: The kingdom of Kandy . The most important social group were the Mukkuvar , who had originated from South India and had repeatedly invaded Sri Lanka as evidenced by Sinhalese literature of that period, the Kokila Sandeśa and Mukkara Hatana . One of the local traditions that records the landing and settling of eastern Sri Lanka is called Mattakallappu Manmiyam ( Tamil : மட்டக்களப்பு மான்மியம் ). Among

3589-557: The state sponsored Sinhalese colonization of Tamil territories, the demographics of the North and East had been heavily altered. The three decade long Civil war that followed the anti-Tamil policies further affected the North and the East with over 80,000–100,000 people estimated to have been killed and over 400,000 Tamils fleeing their homes. Many people still live in IDP camps in the North and

3686-548: The 17 commandos were killed in action before detachments of the 65th Armoured Regiment were able to extract the commandos from their defensive positions. After the Sikh Light Infantry platoon's signaller was shot by LTTE snipers early on in the battle, the unit lost contact with the Indian High Command at Palay Air Base . The sole survivor of the platoon, Sepoy Gora Singh, was taken prisoner by

3783-628: The 54th Division which, led by Brig. Singh, could now focus on consolidating the Jaffna sector. The 4th Mountain Division and the 57th Infantry Division were deployed still later in February 1988 to take charge of Vanni and Batticaloa from the 36th. India's foreign intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) trained the LTTE to keep a check on Sri Lanka , which had helped Pakistan in

3880-524: The 54th underwent considerable modifications of its operations routine. Small, highly mobile units became the staple of the 54th's operations. The IPKF at this point still consisted mostly of an overstretched 54th Division. Following the Jaffna operation, the 36th Infantry Division, along with two additional brigades, took over the Vavuniya sector and the Trincomalee - Batticaloa axis. This relieved

3977-564: The Australian flag, Tiger symbol and picture of Velupillai Prabhakaran . The Tamil National Alliance stands on a platform for Tamil aspirations of self-determination and equality, having won at elections held in the north and east. The alliance is the largest Tamil political party in Sri Lanka. It has had two manifestos since 2001. The policies are based on what is known as the Thimpu principles amongst Tamil nationalists. They are Further

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4074-496: The East and the present-day demographics of the region has been changing due to more and more Sinhalese settling in these territories . Large changes in the demographics of the Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Muslims also occurred during the war. In 1987, widespread anti-Sinhalese violence caused 20,000 Sinhalese to flee the Eastern Province, although they were later resettled. In 1990, the LTTE expelled 72,000 Muslims from

4171-424: The Eelam Tamil community, dropped its demand for a Tamil Eelam, in favour of a federal solution. There were ongoing bilateral talks between President Rajapaksa's UPFA government and the TNA, on a viable political solution and devolution of power. Pro Tamil groups advocating independence for Tamil areas of Sri Lanka continue to run websites and radio telecasts. Since 19 May 2009 Tamil Eelam has ceased to exist as

4268-516: The IPKF stopped its advance to stabilise the front. Palay, the major operations headquarters for the 54th Infantry Division , was also secured from Tiger attacks. At this time the Indian Air Force undertook a massive airlift to reinforce the 91st with three brigades and heavy equipment, including T-72 tanks and BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles. Air traffic controllers worked round the clock to fly in troops and equipment. Indian Airlines

4365-453: The Jaffna kingdom instead of taxes. The tribute was in cash, grains, honey, elephants, and ivory. The annual tribute system was enforced due to the greater distance from Jaffna. The Federal Party (Sri Lanka) (FP) became the most dominant Tamil political party in 1956 and lobbied for a federal state which gave the Tamils and Sinhalese equal rights, including recognition of two official languages (Tamil and Sinhala) and considerable autonomy for

4462-413: The LTTE by taking Jaffna by force. By 7 October, the Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) had issued directives to the IPKF, laying down its operational parameters. It was to: The first IPKF operation was launched on 9 October 1987. Code-named Operation Pawan ( Sanskrit for 'Wind'), it was expected to neutralise LTTE operational capability in and around Jaffna. This included the capture or neutralisation of

4559-411: The LTTE under the command of Pawan Kashyap. It was not until his subsequent release during the conflict that the fate of the unit was known. As the battle for Jaffna progressed, the IPKF advance came under intense and vicious opposition from the Tigers. Fighting in built-up and an as-yet un-evacuated Jaffna, the Indian High Command insisted that the slow advance was, in addition to Tiger resistance, more

4656-406: The LTTE's chain of command which was expected to leave the separatist movement directionless in the face of the impending assault on the LTTE strongholds by the IPKF. On the nights of 9 and 10 October, the IPKF raided and captured the LTTE radio station at Tavadi and the TV station at Kokkuvil , while the printing presses of two LTTE-sponsored newspapers were destroyed. These operations also led to

4753-425: The LTTE, something it had not expected. This was only the beginning of the IPKF's three-year campaign to neutralise the LTTE. By the time Jaffna fell, the LTTE had merely exfiltrated out of the town, moving south to the jungles of Vavuniya District . Its hardcore militants moved to the safety of the jungle by skirting the Jaffna coast from Point Pedro to Elephant Pass , sheltered by the criss-cross of waterways in

4850-409: The Northern Province. The United Kingdom gained control of Sri Lanka in 1815 and administratively unified the island with a legislative council in 1833 with three Europeans and one each for Sinhalese , Eelam Tamils and Burghers . British Governor William Manning , who arrived in Ceylon in 1919, created a reformed legislative council in 1921 and actively encouraged Sinhalese communal thinking in

4947-436: The Sikh Light Infantry troops advancing on the ground. The operation ended in disaster as the LTTE, having intercepted IPKF radio transmissions, set up an ambush. The heli-dropped troops came under intense fire from LTTE positions, forcing the Mil Mi-8 helicopters to abandon the insertion midway through the operation. During the ensuing battle, which lasted throughout the night, 29 of the 30 Sikh Light Infantry troops and 2 of

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5044-406: The Special Forces Training School was reorganized and redesignated as Special Forces Training Wing. In January 2003, Army Headquarters Military Operations Directorate approved the restructuring of the Special Forces Training Wing to overcome the drawbacks in its erstwhile organization. As part of the major policy decisions approved by the COAS, the Special Forces Training Wing was again redesignated as

5141-449: The Sri Lankan government agreed to give the nation's provinces more power and autonomy and withdraw its troops to their barracks. The Tamil separatists were to surrender their arms as well. Most Tamil groups, including the Tigers, had not participated in the talks. Only reluctantly did they agree to surrender their arms to the Indian Peace Keeping Force as provided by the Accord. Even so, many separatists did not surrender their weapons, and

5238-485: The Sri Lankan state continues its present style of governance without due regard to the rights of the Tamil-speaking people" it will launch a Gandhi-style civil disobedience campaign. In the manifesto the TNA also demanded the re-merger of northern and eastern provinces, which were separated in 2006, and has also made a pledge to lobby the international community, including India and has called for power sharing arrangements between both parties. The Sixth Amendment to

5335-457: The TNA, said "The ISGA proposal...bears historical importance in the political history of Tamils in the island. The ISGA provides a base to find a permanent political solution to the Tamil national question". The main pledge made by the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) in its manifesto for the 1977 parliamentary election was " to establish an independent sovereign, secular, socialist State of Tamil Eelam... ". The TULF won all 14 seats in

5432-439: The Taliban and ISIS due to the excellent training at SFTS. Operation Pawan [REDACTED]   India Operation Pawan ( Sanskrit : कार्यवाही पवन Kãryvãhi Pavan , lit. "Operation Wind") was the code name assigned to the operation by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to take control of Jaffna from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), better known as the Tamil Tigers, in late 1987 to enforce

5529-407: The Tamil areas. However, the Official Language Act No. 33 of 1956, more simply known as the Sinhala Only Act , was passed in the Parliament of Ceylon in 1956. The act replaced English as the official language of Ceylon with Sinhala ; due to the lack of official recognition to the Tamil language, the act was widely viewed by the Tamils as a sign of the Sri Lanka state's ambition of establishing

5626-432: The Tamil districts after the 1956 elections . Pongu Tamil (or Tamil Uprising) (பொங்குதமிழ்) is an event that is held in support of "Tamils Right to Self-Determination" and "Tamil Traditional homeland". Pongu Tamil was first organized in Jaffna in January 2001 by students of the Jaffna University. The event was organized in response to alleged disappearances , mass graves and abuses under the government's military rule and

5723-519: The Tamil people. First, the government introduced a discriminatory system regulating university admissions, specifically targeted at reducing the intake of overachieving Tamils and other minorities in the Sri Lankan educational system. The scheme allotted up to 40% of the university placement to rural youth (primarily from Sinhalese areas). The government claimed that this was an affirmative action scheme to assist geographically disadvantaged students to gain tertiary education. According to K. M. de Silva ,

5820-423: The Tamil regions of the country. However, the Official Language Act No. 33 of 1956, more simply known as the Sinhala Only Act , was passed in the Sri Lankan Parliament in 1956. The act replaced English as the official language of Sri Lanka with Sinhala ; due to the lack of official recognition of the Tamil language, the act was widely viewed by Tamils as a sign of the Sri Lankan state's ambition of establishing

5917-419: The alliance stands for: Three of its sitting Members of the Parliament K. Sivanesan, Joseph Pararajasingham and Nadarajah Raviraj have been assassinated since 2006, which the TNA party blames on the Sri Lankan Government's army and paramilitary forces. On 31 October 2003 during the peace talks, with the ceasefire still holding, the LTTE issued their proposals for an ISGA. The ISGA would have broad powers such

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6014-428: The area, and by the 6th century, a special coastal route by boat was functioning to the Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee and Thirukkovil Sithira Velayutha Swami Kovil in Batticaloa . The 12th century saw the rise of a significant Tamil Hindu social formation in the Jaffna Peninsula , with the Jaffna kingdom . Established as a powerful force in the north, north east and west of the island, it eventually became

6111-406: The area. The dry-land forests house rare species of trees, such as the satinwood, ebony, ironwood, and mahogany. The Eastern part of the Tamil Eelam has an area of 9,996 square kilometers (3,859.5 sq mi). The Area is surrounded by land to the north, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the central highlands to its west, south and southwest. The Eastern coast is dominated by lagoons, the largest being

6208-440: The attributes of nationhood of the Tamil people." The resolution further called for the "Free, Sovereign, Secular Socialist State of TAMIL EELAM". As a result of the Vaddukodai resolution, the Tamil United Liberation Front became the first Tamil political party to run its campaign on a separatist platform. It swept the parliamentary elections in the Tamil-dominated districts of the North and East in 1977, winning 18 seats and became

6305-450: The battle for Jaffna. The tanks and armoured fighting vehicles are said to have been effective protection against anti-personnel mines . However, even with this defence the IPKF advance was torturous in the face of the Tigers' sniper fire. They would take up positions on rooftops, in trees and even in coconut palms . Equipped with powerful telescopic infrared sights , they were able to selectively take out officers and radiomen, inflicting

6402-530: The capture of nearly 200 Tiger separatists. In retaliation, the LTTE ambushed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy near Tellippalai , killing four jawans , as well as an IPKF post at Tellipallai with automatic weapons and mortar fire on an IPKF post. Later that day the Tigers ambushed a 10 Para Commando jeep on patrol, killing all five occupants. On 10 October the Indian 91st Brigade, consisting of three battalions and led by Brig . J. Ralli, also began its push into Jaffna. The first battle signalling

6499-413: The central Vanni region . The Jaffna peninsula has a number of bays and lagoons along its coastline and much of the coast consists of sandy beaches. A chain of both inhabited and uninhabited islands are also found along the Jaffna peninsula. The sparsely populated Vanni region is covered in tropical forests with numerous rivers flowing through them, making agriculture and forestry the primary industry in

6596-402: The commandos broke out of the besieged Jaffna port and cleared the heavily mined Navanthurai Coastal Road that a crucial link-up between 1 Maratha Light Infantry in Jaffna Fort and the advancing troops of 41st Brigade could be established that secured the Nallur area. On 21 October the commandos conducted a successful amphibious raid against an LTTE base at Gurunagar . It was also toward

6693-440: The defenders, were forced to commit more troops under orders from New Delhi . In addition, the LTTE increasingly began to deploy anti-tank mines , taking a further heavy toll on IPKF forces. A frustrated IPKF cut off the power to Jaffna in an attempt to counter this. IPKF communication lines were extensively mined by the LTTE, which further compounded the sometimes perilous situations that the Indian troops faced. It has not before

6790-431: The disarmament of the LTTE as a part of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord . In brutal fighting lasting about three weeks, the IPKF took control of the Jaffna Peninsula from the LTTE, something that the Sri Lankan Army had tried but failed to do. Supported by Indian Army tanks, helicopter gunships and heavy artillery, the IPKF routed the LTTE at the cost of 214 soldiers and officers. The Tamil Tigers had fought to establish

6887-410: The dry semi-arid territories of the island. The region is subdivided into three sections, the North, the East where the majority of the native Tamils live, and the northern part of the Puthalam district which had a large Tamil influence in the pre-colonial times. The Northern province is 22 miles (35 km) south of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu . The Adam's Bridge (Sethu Bridge) is located between

6984-470: The end of the Jaffna campaign that the IPKF started the use of Mi-25s for close air support when they flew against LTTE positions in Chavakachcheri town on 23 October 1987. Ultimately, however, after two weeks of bitter fighting the IPKF had wrested control of Jaffna and other major cities from the LTTE, but operations were to continue well into November, with major operations coming to an end with

7081-402: The fall of Jaffna Fort on 28 November. Throughout the duration of Operation Pawan, the casualties suffered by the IPKF had been put at 600. In addition to the LTTE's defensive operations alluded to above, the IPKF's problems were compounded by the fact that the Tigers, using classic guerrilla tactics, blended in with the local population. The IPKF also came face-to-face with child soldiers of

7178-614: The following statement: " I aspire for the formation of the independent and sovereign state of Tamil Eelam in the north and east territory of the island of Sri Lanka on the basis that the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka make a distinct nation, have a traditional homeland and have the right to self-determination ." To date referendums have been held in ten countries ( Norway , France, Canada, Switzerland , Germany, Netherlands , United Kingdom, Denmark , Italy and Australia). Referendums were expected be held in other countries with significant Tamil diaspora population. A survey in late 2008 by

7275-450: The impenetrable Nittkaikulam jungle. In the Jaffna sector, although the LTTE had shifted out of the town itself, it nevertheless harassed the 54th Division's efforts to consolidate its positions using IEDs and anti-personnel mines. In turn, the IPKF was able to disrupt the LTTE's activities with regular raids that led to the capture of large caches of separatist weaponry. Brig . Manjit Singh was later replaced by Brig. J.S. Dhillon, under whom

7372-457: The judges had very little standards or training and acted as agents to the LTTE; it also accused the LTTE of forcing Tamils under their control to accept their judicial system. Furthermore, within areas controlled by the LTTE the Tigers performed state functions, including the operation of a civil police force, Human Rights organizations, offices for the coordination of humanitarian assistance board, health boards and education boards. It also ran

7469-426: The largest hospital in the peninsula and massacred 70 people. Which included patients, staff and doctors. Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated as a fallout of Operation Pawan by LTTE. Tamil Eelam Tamil Eelam ( Tamil : தமிழீழம் , tamiḻ īḻam ; generally rendered outside Tamil-speaking areas as தமிழ் ஈழம்) is a proposed independent state that many Tamils in Sri Lanka and

7566-540: The largest opposition in Parliament. The reason for the success of the TULF was seen as the result of growing Tamil agitation for self-determination . During the time of the Vaddukodai declaration, there were several Tamil militant organizations who believed that armed struggle was the only way to protect the sovereignty of the Tamil areas. TULF, however, believed in peaceful parliamentary ways towards achieving

7663-542: The legislative council. As a result, the Tamils started to develop communal consciousness and began to think of themselves as needing to be represented by Tamil leadership. It was this development that made way for the development of the Tamil political organization called the All Ceylon Tamil Congress headed by G. G. Ponnambalam . Sri Lanka achieved independence from the British in 1948 and in

7760-469: The medieval Vanni chieftaincies, those of Panankamam, Melpattu, Mulliyavalai, Karunavalpattu, Karrikattumulai and Tennamaravadi in the north of the island were incorporated into the Jaffna kingdom. The chieftaincy in Trincomalee was at times incorporated into the northern kingdom. Hence Vannimais just south of the Jaffna peninsula and in the eastern Trincomalee district usually paid an annual tribute to

7857-672: The notion and it has become an annual event in the countries they reside. In 2008, the event was held in New Zealand , Norway , Denmark , Italy, South Africa, France, Australia, England and Canada. According to TamilNet , a pro- rebel website, the event attracted thousands of people in these countries including over 7,000 in France, 30,000 in England and over 75,000 in Canada. Australia is said to have attracted about 2000 people displayed

7954-474: The oath. The parts of northern and eastern Sri Lanka which were formerly under the control of the LTTE were run as a de facto state with its own government in these areas. The Tamil Tigers military included land and naval (the Sea Tigers ) forces and an air wing ( Tamil Eelam Air Force ). LTTE ran a judicial system complete with local, supreme and high courts. The US state department alleged that

8051-569: The opening stages of Operation Pawan. The site was chosen without any consultation with the R&;AW and the dropping paratroopers became easy targets for the LTTE, and a number of Indian soldiers were killed. The failed University of Jaffna drop and the subsequent killing of IPKF during this operation infuriated the IPKF Sikh Battalion who were stationed in Jaffna. On 21 October 1987, Hindus here were observing Diwali , IPKF stormed

8148-498: The peace process". Sri Lankan reaction was mixed. The GOSL reacted by stating that the proposal "differs in fundamental respects from the proposals submitted by the GOSL. The GOSL is convinced that the way forward lies through direct discussion of the issues arising from both sets of proposals". The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the main political party representing Eelam Tamils, welcomed the proposals positively. R. Sampanthan, leader of

8245-472: The real beginning of Operation Pawan was the heliborne assault on the Jaffna University headquarters of the LTTE by a detachment of Indian Para (Special Forces) and Sikh Light Infantry soldiers on the night of 12 October. This was planned as a quick commando raid to capture the top LTTE leadership and local commanders who, according to Indian intelligence, were supposed to be in the building at

8342-498: The resurgent Sri Lankan Army. The last pocket of territory controlled by the LTTE was captured by the Sri Lankan Army on 18 May 2009. During this operation almost the entire civil and military leadership of the LTTE were killed. Tens of thousands of LTTE cadres surrendered to government troops. Following the defeat of LTTE, pro-LTTE political party Tamil National Alliance (TNA), also the largest political group representing

8439-439: The right to impose the rule of law, collect taxes, run the administration and oversee the rehabilitation process in the north and east, and it would be controlled by the LTTE until elections were held. Crucially however, the LTTE had dropped their demand for an independent Tamil Eelam in favour of regional autonomy . The key points of the LTTE's proposals are: Democratic elections will be held if no final negotiated settlement

8536-634: The same year the government of Sri Lanka, with the acceptance vote from G.G. Ponnambalam , passed a new act called the Ceylon Citizenship Act which disenfranchised the Indian Tamil plantation workers. Though Ponnambalam did not vote for all the bills pertaining to the Ceylon citizenship act (including the offending bill), his silence in parliament made the Tamil public believe that he was not interested in Indian Tamil rights. In 1949

8633-487: The situation quickly flared into active confrontation. The Tigers declared their intent to continue armed struggle for an independent Tamil Eelam and refused to disarm. The IPKF soon found itself engaged in a bloody police action against the Tigers, which culminated in the separatists being cornered on the Jaffna Peninsula , at the northern end of the island. The IPKF set out to complete its mission of disarming

8730-474: The time and was thus expected to cut short the battle for Jaffna. The plan was to land 17 commandos from the 10th battalion of the Parachute Regiment to secure the football field. A second wave was to follow with a platoon (30 troops) from the 13th battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry. The heliborne troops were to link up with the 4th battalion of 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) of 72 Brigade and

8827-493: The two sides were not able to agree to the number of District Ministers in the Tamil districts. In 1983 the Sixth Amendment was passed and required Tamil members of parliament and Tamils in public office to take the oath of allegiance to the unitary state of Sri Lanka. The Sixth Amendment forbade advocating a separate state even by peaceful means. Consequently, the TULF was expelled from the parliament for refusing to take

8924-660: The waters of the Mannar islet and the Indian mainland. The North is surrounded by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay to the west, Palk Strait to the north, the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Eastern, North Central and North Western provinces to the south. It has a total area of 8,884 square kilometers (3,430.1 sq mi). It is divided into two distinct geographic areas: Jaffna peninsula and

9021-694: Was delayed due to the deployment of all three commando battalions under an ad hoc headquarters for Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka . The Special Forces Training School was raised as part of the Headquarters Special Forces of War Establishment. The raising was part of an upgrade of the Para SF battalions to more versatile special forces capable of conducting a wide variety of strategic and operational tasks, both overt and covert, in war and low-intensity conflict situations. In December 1997,

9118-450: Was designed as peaceful protest. The event attracted between 4000 and 5000 students amid the event being banned in Jaffna, an area controlled by the Sri Lankan Army, and allegations of intimidation and death threats by the police. In 2003, the event was held again and attracted over 150,000 people and has become an annual event in the LTTE held areas of Sri Lanka. In the recent years some members of Eelam Tamil diaspora have also picked up on

9215-506: Was later adopted for employment in the public sector that caused less than 10 percent of civil service jobs to be available for Tamil speakers. According to historian K. M. de Silva , the system of standardisation of marks (or grades) required the Tamil students to achieve higher marks than Sinhalese students to gain entrance into university. Under the United Front's constitution during the early 1970s, Tamil students sought ways to form

9312-501: Was signed but also not implemented. The failure of the Sinhalese dominated government to implement devolutionary agreements through the 1950s and 1960s, abrogation of power-sharing promises, worsening economic conditions, and lack of territorial autonomy caused further disillusionment and isolation among northern Tamils. In the 1970 election the United Front (UF) led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike came into power. The new government adopted two new policies that were considered discriminatory by

9409-566: Was then known), along with a battalion of the 340th Independent Brigade of the Indian Army , provided beach reconnaissance around Jaffna and Batticaloa . The 340th Brigade was one of the first IPKF units to be deployed, and served until operations in the Trincomalee area were complete. The IMSF, at this time, also provided security patrols along the coast road west of Jaffna until the 41st Brigade took charge in November. On 15/16 October

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