Thileepan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article is currently subject to editing restrictions, following a dispute resolution consensus.
Before making any non-minor changes or before reverting changes, please report the issue at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Sri Lanka Reconciliation#Issues.
Please do not remove this message until the restrictions have been removed.

Thileepan also known as Lt. Col. Thileepan(1962 – 7 Sep 1987), was a LTTE political wing member who died during a hunger strike during the IPKF operation of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.[1][2]

Contents

[edit] Reasons for fast

"I am confident that our people will, one day, achieve their freedom. It gives me great satisfaction and contentment that I am fulfilling a national responsibility to the nation."
"I am confident that our people will, one day, achieve their freedom. It gives me great satisfaction and contentment that I am fulfilling a national responsibility to the nation."

On the 15th of August 1987 at 9.30 a.m at the Nallur Murugan Temple, Thileepan began his fast. His main objective was to bring awareness and action to a list of of public demands made by himself and the Tamil Tigers, at a time when the relationship between the LTTE and the IPKF administration was deteriorating.[3]

The publicly stated goals of his fast were [4]

  • All such rehabilitation should be stopped until an interim government is formed.
  • The Sri Lankan government should stop opening new Police stations and camps in the Northeastern province.
  • The Sri Lankan Army and Police should withdraw from schools in Tamil villages and the weapons given by the Sri Lankan government to 'homeguards' should be withdrawn under the supervision of the Indian army.

[edit] Death

Although several groups requested Thileepan as well as the local IPKF administration to intervene and stop the fast, Thileepan died on the 26th of September 1987.

There was widespread grief in Tamil areas. Thousands of people from the North and East flooded Jaffna as news of his death spread[citation needed].

His death created an anti-Indian mood in Jaffna that was pro-India till then.[5]

[edit] Resumption of hostilities

Several days later the LTTE began hostilities against the Indian Peace Keeping Force. The death of Thileepan was hence seen as a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan History and Sri Lankan - Indian relations for years to come[citation needed].

[edit] See also

[edit] References