Fifteen years after the end of Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war, the quest for justice remains partial, selective, and in many ways, politically convenient. Much attention has been focused—justifiably—on alleged human rights violations committed by the Sri Lankan military, especially during the final stages of the war. However, what continues to be ignored, both locally and internationally, is the role of the LTTE and its former cadres in committing atrocities, many of which amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In the post-war period, many ex-LTTE cadres have reintegrated into society, rebranded as political activists, community leaders, or victims of the conflict. While reintegration is essential for peacebuilding, it should not come at the cost of truth, accountability, and justice. The prevailing silence on LTTE atrocities—and the immunity enjoyed by some of its former members—reflects a deeply biased and imbalanced approach to transitional justice in Sri Lanka.
A Legacy of Atrocities Ignored
The LTTE was responsible for decades of brutality, including targeted assassinations, forced recruitment (including of children), use of human shields, ethnic cleansing of Sinhalese and Muslims from the North and East, and suicide bombings that claimed thousands of civilian lives. High-profile assassinations of leaders like President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and Tamil politicians such as Neelan Tiruchelvam are well documented.
Yet, no serious domestic or international mechanisms have been activated to hold surviving LTTE members accountable. While a few low-level cadres were prosecuted or rehabilitated, most have escaped scrutiny. Many now live freely in Sri Lanka or overseas—some even granted asylum—while openly glorifying the LTTE and promoting its separatist ideology.
Biased Focus on State Actors
The Sri Lankan state and its security forces are often the sole focus of international human rights reports and UN mechanisms. The final stages of the war (2008–2009) in particular are under heavy international spotlight, with calls for investigations into military conduct. These calls are not unwarranted—allegations of extrajudicial killings, shelling in civilian areas, and enforced disappearances deserve transparent inquiry.
However, the exclusive focus on the state creates a one-sided narrative, erasing the full complexity of the war and absolving non-state actors like the LTTE of responsibility. Such selective justice undermines the very principles of international humanitarian law, which holds both state and non-state actors accountable for violations.
Reintegration Without Reconciliation
Following the war’s end in 2009, over 12,000 former LTTE cadres surrendered or were captured by government forces. The government initiated a rehabilitation process under the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation (BCGR). Many underwent vocational training, counselling, and social reintegration.
While this program was internationally praised for its humane approach, it lacked a critical accountability dimension. No public vetting process occurred to determine which cadres were implicated in serious crimes. Victim communities were not consulted, and no transitional justice mechanism ensured that these individuals faced questioning, let alone prosecution, for their possible role in LTTE atrocities.
In contrast, Tamil civilians and ex-cadres who opposed the LTTE’s brutality remain voiceless, with little institutional support or recognition. Many fear that former commanders who once terrorized their communities are now thriving politically or socially, without ever facing their past.
The Diaspora Double Standard
Another troubling development is the unchecked glorification of the LTTE by segments of the Tamil diaspora. From Canada to the UK, public events often commemorate “martyrs” and display LTTE insignia, in violation of local laws that classify the LTTE as a banned terrorist organization. Some ex-cadres in exile continue to promote separatist ideology while evading justice for crimes committed during the war.
Yet, these individuals are often portrayed in international forums as freedom fighters or victims of state oppression—conveniently omitting their role in suicide bombings, political assassinations, and conscription of children. This narrative, left unchallenged, distorts the truth and dishonors the memory of victims on all sides.
A Call for Balanced Justice
Sri Lanka cannot afford to build a future of reconciliation on the foundations of selective memory and political expediency. If the country is to truly come to terms with its past, justice must be impartial and comprehensive. This means:
- Investigating former LTTE commanders and cadres credibly accused of war crimes.
- Creating a transparent vetting process for ex-combatants who now occupy political or civil society roles.
- Supporting victim testimony and community documentation efforts that record LTTE abuses—especially in the North and East.
- Reforming rehabilitation programs to include transitional justice elements, such as truth-telling, reparations, and public apologies.
- Encouraging international mechanisms and foreign governments to scrutinize diaspora members who glorify terrorism or are credibly accused of wartime crimes.
The Danger of Double Standards
Accountability must not be confused with revenge. Justice is not about punishing former enemies—it is about acknowledging harm, restoring dignity to victims, and preventing future cycles of violence. Yet, when only one side of a conflict is held accountable, it breeds resentment, denies closure, and fosters myths of victimhood that obstruct peace.
The current silence surrounding ex-LTTE crimes represents a glaring double standard in Sri Lanka’s post-war recovery. While soldiers and state officials face court cases, sanctions, and international resolutions, many former Tigers enjoy rights and freedoms without ever answering for their past. This imbalance must be corrected—not only for the sake of justice but for the sake of truth, healing, and national unity.
Conclusion
It is time to move beyond selective narratives and partial justice. If Sri Lanka is serious about reconciliation and building a shared future, it must ensure that all actors—state and non-state—are equally accountable. The victims of LTTE violence, both Tamil and non-Tamil, deserve the same recognition, justice, and closure as those who suffered from state abuses. Without equal justice, there can be no genuine peace.
