Today, May 18, marks 16 years since the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Sri Lanka’s civil war, which lasted nearly three decades, has deep roots in British colonial policies that deliberately divided the island’s communities. The British favored the Tamil minority-especially in education and civil service-marginalizing the Sinhalese majority and institutionalizing ethnic divisions. After independence, Tamil politicians pushed for federalism and separatism, intensifying ethnic tensions. Meanwhile, India covertly supported Tamil militant groups like the LTTE, providing arms and training, and later deployed the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), which acted more like an occupying force than peacekeepers, violating Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. The LTTE evolved into a ruthless terrorist organization responsible for hundreds of attacks, including suicide bombings, assassinations of political leaders, ethnic cleansing of Muslims, recruitment of child soldiers, and destruction of cultural heritage. Despite their denials, the Sri Lankan government attributes a vast number of terror acts to the LTTE, highlighting the scale of their violence. Amidst this turmoil, the Sri Lankan government strategically used the conflict to its advantage, even arming the LTTE covertly to counter Indian forces. Ultimately, in 2009, Sri Lanka’s military defeated the LTTE, ending a brutal chapter of violence and terror. The legacy of the war underscores the dangers of colonial divide-and-rule tactics, external interference, and militant extremism. For lasting peace, Sri Lanka must confront this complex history honestly, promote inclusive governance, and protect its sovereignty to build a united and prosperous future for all its people. Read the Full Article; thetamilglobal.com/2025/05/w… #theTamilGlobal #SriLanka #LTTE #India #Terrorism