Charles Lucas Anthony

Not to be confused with Charles Anthony (Tamil activist).
Charles Lucas Anthony
Born Charles Lucas Anthony
Died 15 July 1983
Meesalai, Jaffna District, Sri Lanka
Other names Lt. Colonel Seelan
Occupation Militant leader of Tamil Tigers

Charles Lucas Anthony, also known as Lt. Colonel Seelan,[1] from Trincomalee District of Sri Lanka, was a close associate of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. He was killed in a close encounter with Sri Lankan Army soldiers in Meesalai, Jaffna District on 15 July 1983.

To avenge his death, early Tamil Tigers including Velupillai Prabhakaran and Sathasivam Krishnakumar carried out an attack on Sri Lankan Army soldiers on 23 July 1983, killing 13 of them. The Black July riots, triggered by the killing of these soldiers, led directly to the outbreak of civil war in Sri Lanka.[2]

Prabhakaran named the Charles Anthony Brigade as a tribute to his close friend. Prabhakaran also named his eldest son Charles Anthony. Tamil Tigers claim Charles Anthony to be one of the 'foundation stones' of Tamil Eelam.[3]

References

  1. ^ "First Heroes' Day Celebrations in Trincomalee". Tamilnet. 2002-11-24. http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=7880. Retrieved 2008-12-18. 
  2. ^ "Twenty years on - riots that led to war". BBC. 2003-07-23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3090111.stm. Retrieved 2009-01-20. 
  3. ^ "Tamil Hero Turned into a Zero". SangamOrg. 2004-03-17. http://www.sangam.org/articles/view/?id=264. Retrieved 2009-01-02.