In May 2009, the Sri Lankan authorities managed to defeat the fighting units of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Tigers (LTTE)terrorist organization and take control of the entire territory of the country. The LTTE is known worldwide as one of the most violent extremist separatist groups. Over a quarter of a century of bloody armed conflict in Sri Lanka killed more than 70 thousand people. "Tigers" committed dozens of horrific terrorist acts using suicide bombers, and often suicide bombers. Among the victims are Indian Prime Minister R. Gandhi, Sri Lankan President R. Premadasa, and Foreign Minister L. Kadirgamar, who is a Tamil by nationality. Other prominent political and public figures who did not agree with the terror of the "tigers", and just ordinary people of different nationalities and religions - women, the elderly, children-were torn to shreds. N. A. LISTOPADOV Doctor of Historical Sciences The LTTE is recognized as a terrorist organization in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and the European Union (EU). THE ROOTS OF INTERETHNIC CONFLICT What are the origins of the Sinhalese-Tamil ethnic conflict? Both Sinhalese and Tamils are very old inhabitants of the island. They have lived here for two and a half thousand years. True, both of them are not indigenous ethnic groups, but migrants from Hindustan. Indigenous people are considered to be a few Veddas. Currently, of Sri Lanka's 20 million inhabitants, about 80% are Sinhalese and about 20% are Tamil. Throughout history, both Sinhalese and Tamil states have existed on the small island. Of course, the relationship between them did not always remain cloudless. There were wars and conflicts. Among other things, religious differences also affected. Sinhalese are mostly Buddhists, Tamils are Hindus. However, there was no insurmountable hostility between the two communities. They got along on the same island, adapting to each other. The situation worsened during the colonial p ... Read more