SUMMARY
Internal fighting between Tamil paramilitary groups began in the context of the Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War and the Indo-Sri-Lankan Accords of July 1987. At this point, some groups (including EPRLF) accepted to disarm, transform into political entities and collaborate with the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF), and thus with the Government of Sri Lanka under the framework of a new system giving political rights and autonomy to the Tamils. On the other hand, however, others (notably LTTE), decided to continue the armed struggle for an independent Tamil Eelam and challenge any opponents. This caused an incompatibility between various Tamil groups. Further, this cleavage over-imposed over previous attempts by the various Tamil groups to expand their zones of influence and control. The first fighting between the two groups occurred as early as 1986, with increases in violence occurring as EPRLF engaged in the Sri Lankan political processes.
By 1989, the phased withdrawal of Indian troops that, by the time, offered significant protection to groups that accepted the Accords, gave LTTE the possibility to successfully challenge and attack EPRLF. EPRLF’s strategy was to quickly attempt to muster a conscript force, called the Tamil National Army (TNA), in order to replace the now lost Indian military backing. However, the force was extremely weak, especially against the battle-hardened LTTE. A further complication was the fact the Government of Sri Lanka considered TNA to be illegal as well, engaging the EPRLF at the same time as LTTE. LTTE’s strategy was to attack EPRLF positions immediately after the departure of Indian troops. Nine violent incidents between the two groups are recorded in the UCDP database, with seven being direct assaults of a more powerful LTTE against fixed positions (camps or cities) under the control of EPRLF.
The success of LTTE is undeniable – as, by late 1989, much of the leadership of EPRLF had to relocate to Tamil Nadu, in India. Multiple sources confirm the complete destruction of EPRLF as a paramilitary organization, and its later transformation into a relatively minor political party participating in the Sri Lankan elections.
The conflict between LTTE and EPRLF was active throughout Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka, with clashes recorded in Mullaitivu, Jaffna and Vavuniya provinces in Northern Sri Lanka and in Batticaloa and Akkaraipattu in Eastern Sri Lanka. Activity existed outside Sri Lanka, in Tamil Nadu, as EPLRF leader and a small group of EPLRF members were assassinated in Madras (Chennai) on 19 June 1990.
The non-state conflict between EPRLF and LTTE is first included in UCDP data in 1989. In November that year, clashes between the two groups in Akkaraipattu town resulted in at least 50 battle-related deaths.
