Sri Lanka and the Defeat of the LTTE

by K.M. de Silva

In this comprehensive and authoritative study of terrorism in Sri Lanka, K.M. de Silva turns the spotlight on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its role in Sri Lanka’s upheavals over the last few decades. While tracing the emergence of this separatist group and the events that led to its recent collapse, de Silva also seeks to explore the complex relationship between the so-called moderates in Sri Lankan Tamil politics and the Tamil terrorist groups. What emerges is a layered portrait of the dynamics of Sri Lanka’s political system.

Extensively researched and loaded with perceptive insights, Sri Lanka and the Defeat of the LTTE is the most wide-ranging analysis so far on the LTTE and its violent legacy.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

K.M. de Silva held the chair of Sri Lanka History at the University of Ceylon, later the University of Peradeniya, from 1969 to 1995. He was foundation director and executive director of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, Colombo/Kandy from 1982–2008.

Among his several books are A History of Sri Lanka, Managing Ethnic Tensions in Multi-Ethnic Societies: Sri Lanka, 1880–1985 and Regional Powers and Small State Security: India and Sri Lanka, 1977–1990. He has edited two volumes of Sri Lanka: British Documents on the End of Empire series, Conflict and Violence in South Asia: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and Pursuit of Peace in Sri Lanka: Past Failures and Future Prospects. He also wrote Reaping the Whirlwind: Ethnic Politics, Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka.

Reviews

[Rohan Thuraisingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

De Silva appears to have succumbed to base instincts. In this book, unlike his greater and earlier work “A History of Sri Lanka”, he appears at times to be giving a very Sinhala Buddhist Nationalst view of historical events. Yes, historians must record their interpretation of events as they see them, but they lose credibility if their point of view is skewed - witness David Irving and the Hitler Diaries. Although I wouldn’t yet liken De Silva to Irving, but I’m left feeling distinctly uneasy about his professional detachment.

[Ashwath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before reading this book, it would be good to know a little about the background of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The book goes on to destroy many myths that surround the whole conflict. While the author tries to make it unbiased, there are places where the author takes a very specific side. One needs to read this with a very objective mind. Otherwise it is a very informative piece dealing with the political situation of the whole conflict.

[Girish Querido II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good sequel to his prequel book, Reaping of the Whirwind.

[Rana Dhrmraj]

Fantastic

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before 2009, almost everyone knew that there was no military solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict. However, the army successfully defeated the separatist forces after 2009 war. What will the fate of the Tamil population following the war? How did they manage to defeat the separatist who were successfully able to inflict severe damage to the army for 30 plus years? Also I wanted to know the Sri Lankan narrative of the Conflict.
De Silva starts off with his analysis of the Separatist conflict across the Indian Subcontinent. He draws parallel with Kashmir Conflict, Moros conflict in Philippines etc. Provide his thesis on why this particular conflict is different from the other South Asian conflicts. Then he goes to the genesis of conflict. What triggered this ethnic conflict? He goes on to provide a solid case against the most commonly echoed answers such as the Sinhalese dominated government's Language policy, University Admission policy and State sector employment. The consequences of Indian intervention, how it altered the course of the ethnic conflict and how the relationship between the two nations was affected as a result were elaborated.
Some of the overlooked factors were also discussed like the rivalries between Tamils and other minorities and rivalries between the Northern and Eastern Tamil population. Finally, the analysis geopolitical interest of China and India, their roles in the future of Island nation were fairly good.
I find this book to be tendentious at places .The writer suggest that the allegations of war crimes are false without providing proper evidence. It is not as objective as I would wanted it to be. However, it does provide some solid analysis of the nature of the ethnic conflict and its genesis, role of external players and future of the state.

[Rajit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended as a lucid and clinical look at the ethnic issue and the LTTE. De Silva's biases are more party political than ethnic. However, his balanced view of the origins of the tensions that led to the civil war in Sri Lanka will displease those who want to see the matter in black and white terms.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having spent a week in Sri Lanka, I wanted to find out more about what lead to the civiil war and the impact of it's end. I don't know how KM de Silva fits in the panoply of opinions and political views but although the writing was sometimes repetitive, it provided the information I needed.