Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Tamil Eelam are prepared, up dated and posted for the benefit of those who are interested in the concept of Tamil Eelam, in Tamil Eelam studies and in the Tamil struggle of Sri Lanka.
1. What is Tamil Eelam ?
2. Why did Tamils in Sri Lanka want Tamil Eelam ?
3. Who is the leader of Tamil Eelam ?
4. Is Tamil Eelam a communist idea ?
5. What is the present state of Tamil Eelam ?
6. Is there religious freedom in Tamil Eelam ?
7. Can any one travel to Tamil Eelam ?
8. Who is LTTE ?
9. Where can I find more information ?
1. What is Tamil Eelam ?
Tamil Eelam is a de facto state in Indian Ocean. It is located below the Tamil Nadu state of India and in the North East of Sri Lanka. The state of Tamil Eelam has been established by the people living there under the right of self determination given by International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights , Article 1, to which Sri Lanka is a signatory. Reference: Sunmantra Bose,Lanka Guardian,15 October 1994: "The Tigers have proved to be an extraordinarily formidable and resilient organisation over the past decade. Today they control some 65% of the north and east... where they have established a de facto state with its own police force, judiciary, taxation structure, education department, transportation system and information and broadcasting networks. They have also consolidated significant popular legitimacy by aggressively opposing various social ills and inequities, such as caste oppression and the subordination of women... effective Tamil opposition to the LTTE remains almost non existent... also, because a sorry record of criminality, 'collaboration' and opportunism has debased the anti LTTE groups in the eyes of the Tamil population. As an Indian Peace Keeping General found in Jaffna 'Eelam has taken firm root as an idea and the LTTE was firmly established in the consciousness of the Tamils.. (as their) sole saviour, fighter, hero and representative."
2. Why did Tamils in Sri Lanka want Tamil Eelam?
Sri Lanka, which was renamed in Sinhala in 1972, had been called as Ceylon by British during colonial times. Before 1833, the Tamil people were under different administration. They had their own kingdoms, culture and language which are very different from those of Sinhalese until 1505. The first colonial invasion took place in 1505. British brought Tamils and Sinhalese under one administration in 1833 and called this new colony as Ceylon.
When the British left in 1948, the 20% Tamils were left with 80% Sinhalese within a unitary country where the decisions were taken by democratic parliament system. Under this system, racially polarised Sinhalese and Tamils were ruled by the constant majority of Sinhalese against the democratic wishes of Tamils as Tamils were the constant minority.
Reference: Document submitted by 17 NGOs in 50th Sessions of UN Commission on Human Rights:"There is a need to recognise that the deep divisions between the Sri Lanka government and the Tamil people cannot be resolved by the use of force against Tamil resistance. The Tamil population in the North and East of the island, who have lived from ancient times within relatively well defined geographical boundaries in the north and east of the island, share an ancient heritage, a vibrant culture, and a living language which traces its origins to more than 2500 years ago. ...Before the advent of the British ..., separate kingdoms existed for the Tamil areas and for the Sinhala areas in the island.
The Tamil people and the Sinhala people were brought within the confines of one state for the first time by the British in 1833. After the departure of the British in 1948, an alien Sinhala people speaking a language different to that of the Tamils and claiming a separate and distinct heritage has persistently denied the rights and fundamental freedoms of the Tamil people. .. ! It is ...our view that the Secretary General should consider invoking his good offices with the aim of contributing to the establishment of peace in the island of Sri Lanka through respect for the existence of the Tamil homeland in the North East of the island of Sri Lanka and recognition for the right of the Tamil people to freely determine their political status."
3. Who is the leader of Tamil Eelam?
Mr. Vellupillai Pirabakaran, the leader of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is the present National Leader of Tamil Eelam.
4. Is Tamil Eelam a communist idea?
No. Tamil Eelam is the home land of highly religious Hindu, Christian and Islamic Tamil speaking people. Tamils of Tamil Eelam are from the ancient times, known for their trade and commerce. Tamil Eelam will be a democratic country once it become independent.
Reference: An interview by Mr.V.Pirabakaran,Leader of LTTE to Mr.Kendall
Hopman,The Sunday Times,8th April 1990.
"What model of government would you like to see in this country?"
"I would like to see a society that is economically self-sufficient and self-reliant.I also want a democratic system in which the people have the right to rule themselves. And there should be economic equality among the working people."
5. What is the present state of Tamil Eelam?
Presently, the some Northern and Eastern part of Tamil Eelam is under the Tamil Eelam administration. Although a war is going on, Tamil Eelam administration functions very effectively to achieve self reliance and self sufficiency. There are forty eight essential items were banned by Sri Lankan authorities to the de facto state of Tamil Eelam.
Some of them are now allowed by the new government with the expectation that the people of Tamil Eelam would give up their right to chose their political status freely.
Reference: A leaflet distributed in the Tamil Eelam area from Sri Lankan military helicopters days before 14 October 1994
"Dear Brothers and Sisters in the North, Sunshine has begun to move into your lives to light up the gloom of misery that you have suffered all these years. As a start, a few rays of sunshine have already moved into the north in the form of twenty-eight commodities which have been liberated from the list of banned items to the north.
Referring to the lifting of the ban, Prime Minister told a Press Conference, 'we are doing this to rebuild the trust and conteps the government intends to take with the objective of bringing about a solution to the north-east problem'. "
6. Is there religious freedom in Tamil Eelam?
Not only religious freedom, but the people are encouraged to follow their own religion by Tamil Eelam administration even under the severe war conditions and economic ban.
The Christian, mainly Catholic and Hindu religious leaders are always provided all the support needed for their religious freedom. Islam, however, is not being practised presently, as the Muslims have been asked to leave the Tamil Eelam territory until the independence of Tamil Eelam. The Muslims supported the aggressive Sri Lankan Sinhala and Muslim Military against the freedom of Tamil Eelam.
7. Can any one travel to Tamil Eelam?
Yes. Like in any other countries, for Tamil Eelam also the immigration and emigration laws are applicable at the borders. Since a war is going on for the independence, several additional restrictions are imposed on travellers for national security reasons and for the security of the life of travellers.
8. Who is LTTE?
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is the armed rebellion organisation fighting for the independence of Tamil Eelam. It is a unique organisation in the world in thefollowing aspects.
1. Every cadre wear a cyanide capsule around the neck and commit suicide to avoid divulging vital information.
2. LTTE is the only rebel organisation which has naval and air wings known as Sea Tigers and Air Tigers respectively.
3. All the cadre wear uniform.
9. Where can I find more information ?
In Internet;
1. http://www.tamilnet.com
2. http://www.eelam.com
3. http://www.eelamweb.com
The following Tamil organisations can provide any information wanted:
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
P.O Box 47, 7400 Herning
DENMARK
TEL / FAX: 97 21 76 49
The following periodicals can provide further information:
1. Kazhaththil (Tamil)
(Contact any of the above address)
2. NETWORK (English)
(Published by the International Federation of Tamils)
17, Birchview
Close, Yateley, Camberley
SURREY GU17 7DL
United Kingdom
Erimalai (Monthly Tamil Magazine)
Audio/video Releases
OLivIchchu
(Monthly Video Magazine)
nitharsanam
Mullaithivu
Tamil Eelam
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