Reference: Sunmantra Bose,Lanka Guardian,15 October 1994: "The Tigers have proved to be an extraordinarily formidable and resilient organisation over the past decade. Today they control some 65% of the north and east... where they have established a de facto state with its own police force, judiciary, taxation structure, education department, transportation system and information and broadcasting networks. They have also consolidated significant popular legitimacy by aggressively opposing various social ills and inequities, such as caste oppression and the subordination of women... effective Tamil opposition to the LTTE remains almost non existent... also, because a sorry record of criminality, 'collaboration' and opportunism has debased the anti LTTE groups in the eyes of the Tamil population. As an Indian Peace Keeping General found in Jaffna 'Eelam has taken firm root as an idea and the LTTE was firmly established in the consciousness of the Tamils.. (as their) sole saviour, fighter, hero and representative."

When the British left in 1948, the 20% Tamils were left with 80% Sinhalese within a unitary country where the decisions were taken by democratic parliament system. Under this system, racially polarised Sinhalese and Tamils were ruled by the constant majority of Sinhalese against the democratic wishes of Tamils as Tamils were the constant minority.

Reference: Document submitted by 17 NGOs in 50th Sessions of UN Commission on Human Rights:"There is a need to recognise that the deep divisions between the Sri Lanka government and the Tamil people cannot be resolved by the use of force against Tamil resistance. The Tamil population in the North and East of the island, who have lived from ancient times within relatively well defined geographical boundaries in the north and east of the island, share an ancient heritage, a vibrant culture, and a living language which traces its origins to more than 2500 years ago. ...Before the advent of the British ..., separate kingdoms existed for the Tamil areas and for the Sinhala areas in the island. The Tamil people and the Sinhala people were brought within the confines of one state for the first time by the British in 1833. After the departure of the British in 1948, an alien Sinhala people speaking a language different to that of the Tamils and claiming a separate and distinct heritage has persistently denied the rights and fundamental freedoms of the Tamil people. .. ! It is ...our view that the Secretary General should consider invoking his good offices with the aim of contributing to the establishment of peace in the island of Sri Lanka through respect for the existence of the Tamil homeland in the North East of the island of Sri Lanka and recognition for the right of the Tamil people to freely determine their political status."

Reference: An interview by Mr.V.Pirabakaran,Leader of LTTE to Mr.Kendall Hopman,The Sunday Times,8th April 1990.
"What model of government would you like to see in this country?"
"I would like to see a society that is economically self-sufficient and self-reliant.I also want a democratic system in which the people have the right to rule themselves.And there should be economic equality among the working people."

The following Tamil organisations can provide any information wanted: