A Fleeting Moment in My Country : The Last Years of the LTTE De-Facto State

Description

Little is known about the Tamil liberation cause and struggle, as it has been widely dismissed by global powers of all persuasions- the USA, Russia, China and India -each driven by their own real politik concerns and self-interests. This book written by a Diaspora Tamil engaged in human rights work in the Tmail-controlled area of Vanni up until it was overrun by Sri Lankan forces, provides a compelling insider’s look at the motivations, issues and complexities of this largely secret civil warl; her entire text is based on first hand observation.

Isolated in their struggle and condemned by world opinion, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) nonetheless proved capable of withstanding all external forces for a period of decades, drawing large numbers of Tamils, both inside Sri Lanka and outside int he Tamil Diaspora to support its cause.

The LTTE created a progressive internal movement that succeeded in breaking down ancient caste barriers that had resisted the political inducements and leadershop of figures such as Gandhi, and inculcated a climate of social justice and equality. This book describes what life was like on the ground inside Tamil controlled territory where the forces of war were held at bay – what the author has referred to in the title of this book as "The Fleeting Moment…".

What followed was a process of the destruction of everything that she described when it was overrun by the Sri Lankan army and the Tamil genocide began.

N.Malathyis a member of the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora who has lived in New Zealand for four decades. She holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where she has worked as an analyst and programmer. She has written extensively on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

Radha D’souzateaches Public International Law and Development at the University of Westminster.