Black Tigers Day


Black Tigers Day Commemorated in Thamil Eelam with Public Meetings and Spiritual Rites

An elite force of the Thamil Tigers is the Black Tigers whose primary function is to safeguard the nation by scarifying their lives. The unit first launched when its leader, Captain Miller drove his truck fully loaded with explosives into the Sri Lankan Army camp in Nelliyadi of Yaazhppaanam on July 05, 1987, which killed nearly 100 soldiers. Thamil Eelam people commemorate this day with spiritual ceremonies and public meetings every year, on the day Captain Miller died, in all parts of Thamil Eelam. But the commemoration ceremony took place yesterday even in Sri Lankan Army controlled areas for the first time in the Liberation struggle.

Thousands of people participated in the events held on Friday in which senior LTTE leaders, religious leaders and local community leaders addressed several meetings held in various parts of Thamil Eelam to honor the 241 Black Tigers who died for the Thamil’s cause. Thamil Eelam Arts and Cultural Organization released audiocassette praising the Black Tigers.

In the ceremonies, the LTTE exhibited pictures of all 241 of them in public places for the people to respect. Thamil Eelam flags were hoisted all around the territory for the first time in front of their arch-enemy, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Posters were seen all around the places including the buses, taxis and privately owned mini vans.

A crowd marched all the way from Thandikkulam to Vavuniya City Center where a grand public meeting was held. Speakers praised the Black Tigers, as the armor of Thamils. They said the people who attended the meetings are good examples of how Thamil Eelam Thamils are yearning for freedom and they see the LTTE fighters as their genuine Liberation fighters. Thousands of people participated in Chettikkulam Stadium as well as in several cities including Maddakkalappu, Thirukkonamalai and Yaazhppaanam.

Eechchangkulam of Vavuniya Cemetery of LTTE cadres was re-opened yesterday as well. SL Armed Forces demolished the Cemetery in 1998. But local organizations re-erected the cemetery with the support of local residents.

LTTE senior leaders spoke at the meetings saying that some sections of Sri Lankan Armed Forces are causing panic and doubt by dishonoring the MoU signed by LTTE and SL government. But the LTTE fighters have remained patient since the SLMM would sort out the problems.

Courtesy: EelamNation (July 06, 2002)

Black Tiger day marked at site of first attack

[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 July 2002, 01:40 GMT]
Over five thousand people gathered in Nelliady in the Jaffna peninsula Friday to mark Black Tigers day - the first time the event had been held here since 1995. July 5 is the anniversary of the death of the first Black Tiger, Captain Miller, who was killed destroying a Sri Lanka Army base located in the Nelliady Madhya Maha Vidiyalyam - the site of the commemoration this Friday. His mother was amongst those who paid their respects to fallen Black Tigers.

The several thousand people marched in procession from Nelliady junction to the school to attend the event Friday evening. Mr. Arunan, head of the Liberation Tigers’ political section in Vadamarachi, lit the traditional lamp to start the event. Ms Malvilzi of the LTTE hoisted the Tamil Eelam flag.

The mother of Captain Miller, whose truck-bomb attack in 1987 killed scores of soldiers and stalled an SLA advance, also lit flame in remembrance. Mr. Paapaa, a senior official of the LTTE's political section, garlanded the portrait of Captain Miller.

In his address, Mr. V. Balakumar, another senior LTTE official, said that the Liberation Tigers were committed to the ongoing peace process. He called on the Sri Lankan government to deal firmly with 'saboteurs of the peace process' amongst the armed forces.

Tamil Rebels Commemorate the Fallen Black Tigers

Sri Lanka's separatist Tamil Tiger rebels are marking the 20th anniversary of their fallen Black Tigers. The rebels and the public are remembering the 322 Black Tigers - members who have killed themselves in attacks since 1987.

The first Black Tiger, Captain Miller, Killed himself in the 'Black Tiger mission' on 5 July 1987 in Jaffna, which was marked as Black Tiger Day. Captain Miller drove an explosive laden truck on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops garrisoned in a public school in northern Jaffna Peninsula. More than forty soldiers were killed in that attack.

The day was commemorated throughout Northeast with special events. Uprising events, commemorations, and cultural events took place in rebel held areas. Posters displayed on the army controlled areas of the North and East were torn by the Sri Lankan soldiers according to media reports.


The main commemorative ceremonies are taking place in the Tigers' stronghold of Kilinochchi, in the north of Sri Lanka. Rebels and residents of the town have been placing garlands on portraits of the Black Tigers - both men and women - killed in the attacks.


Rebels’ Political Head and other Military commanders including Col. Theepan of the Northern Frontier participated in the commemorative ceremonies organized in Kilinochchi. A children park was opened in the name of a fallen black Tiger, Lt. Col. Chandran in the rebel held town.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Thamilchelvan, the Rebels’ Political Head, praised the fallen Black Tigers as those who made their struggle known to the world. LTTE leader Mr. V. Pirapaharan also expected to participate in the Black Tigers commemoration day.

To date 322 Black Tigers including 90 females have given their lives as weapons in war according to the Rebels.

On Thursday, security was stepped up across Sri Lanka, amid government fears that the rebels would try to mark the day with an attack.

Jul 5, 2007

Tamils mark Black Tigers' Day

[TamilNet, Sunday, 06 July 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Across the Vanni, Tamil people marked Black Tigers' day by with traditional religious ceremonies, lighting oil lamps in prayer. Black Tigers are one of the LTTE's elite fighting units, whose members execute missions which carry a high degree of risk and in some cases certain death.

Tamil households across the Vanni marked the 5th of July in remembrance of nearly hundred Black Tigers (including at least 16 women commandos) who have died in the past 10 years. Processions also carried the portraits of local volunteers who died in operations against the Sri Lankan military. The Tamil Eelam national flag fluttered in prominent places.

The parents of Black Tigers killed in action also participated in the ceremonies. Like their children, the parents are also revered by their local communities.

The 5th of July is the anniversary of one of the first Black Tiger deaths. Cpt. Miller drove a truck full of explosives into a Sri Lankan army base in July 1987. At least 120 soldiers were killed in the explosion and the ensuing ground assault. Miller was unable to get clear and was also killed in the blast.

Since then, several Tamil commandos have died in similar attacks. Some have survived, including another Black Tiger who drove his charges into a camp shortly after Miller's attack. Black Tigers have destroyed several naval craft and military installations, killing several hundred Sri Lankan military personnel.

They are trained in escape and evasion tactics and have been able to penetrate the Sri Lankan government's most secure installations. In March this year, at least 15 Black Tigers penetrated the sprawling SLAF base at China bay, Trincomalee. They destroyed several buildings and slipped away having rendered the airfield inoperable, whilst losing 3 of their commandos.

The Black (Sea) Tigers have successfully penetrated three of the Sri Lankan navy's four main HQs, destroying several naval craft. The SLN has also lost several craft in engagements with the Black (Sea) Tigers, including the Shanghai class gunboat which went down with its 40 crew in July 1996.

Black Tigers' identities are closely guarded. Having completed their training, they serve in regular LTTE units, concealing their membership. When called up for a mission, they take routine leave and if they survive, return to regular service again. Membership is only revealed if they are killed in combat.

The Sri Lankan government and press demonise the Black Tigers as fanatical 'suicide bombers' in an attempt to exploit Western discomfort with the concept, and to draw critical parallels with other parts of the world.

A British a film crew which met up with some Black Tigers in the east of the island last year, discounted government claims that the Tigers were irrational or drug-crazed. The Sri Lankan government tried unsuccessfully to prevent the film being shown in England.

In fact, the Black Tigers constitute a successful military unit which has inflicted disproportionately severe physical and psychological damage on the Sri Lankan military, the latter with the help of the Sri Lankan government's own propaganda. The commandos are some of the LTTE's best fighters and often have several years combat experience.

The LTTE intensified its campaign for independence following the island wide pogrom against Tamils in July 1983. Over 50,000 Tamil civilians have been killed in the government's attempts to crush the Tamil struggle. In the 1977 elections, the Tamil people of the island voted overwhelmingly for parties supporting independence from Sri Lanka.

LTTE leader pays homage to Black Tigers

06 July 2008-TamilNet

LTTE leader Mr. V. Pirapaharan participated in the Black Tigers commemoration day events held Saturday in Vanni. 356 Black Tigers have laid down their lives, 254 of them in sea operations, during the last 21 years since 05 July 1987, when the first Black Tiger Captain Miller, drove an explosive laden truck on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops garrisoned at Nelliyadi Central College in Vadamaraadchi in Jaffna. Last year, Black Tiger commandos stormed the Sri Lankan airbase in Anudradhapura in LTTE's first combined Black Tiger and Tamil Eelam Air Force attack, destroying more than 10 air crafts.

BT Day, 2008
LTTE's media unit released edited photos of LTTE leader paying homage to Black Tigers who died in their missions. Senior Commanders of the LTTE and other Black Tigers were present with Pirapaharan at an undisclosed location in Vanni. [Photo: LTTE]


Senior Commanders of the LTTE and other Black Tigers were present with Pirapaharan at an undisclosed location in Vanni.

76 of the 254 Black Sea Tigers who have died were female commandos. 81 male and 71 female Black Tiger commandos have died in ground operations.

Six music albums were published by Head of LTTE Intelligence Wing S. Poddu, Special Commander of the Sea Tigers Col. Soosai, Head of LTTE's Military Intelligence Ratnam, Political Head B. Nadesan, Head of LTTE's military academies Col. Aathavan and a commander of the Sea Tigers Naren in the event, Tiger officials told media in Vanni.

BT Day, 2008
LTTE leader paying homage to first Black Tiger Captian Miller [Photo: LTTE]
BT Day, 2008
Mr. Pirapaharan receiving the first copy of 'Surprise Attack in Anuradhapuram', a music album, from Poddu Ammaan, head of LTTE intelligence wing [Photo: LTTE]
BT Day, 2008
LTTE leader receiving the first copy of the Black Sea Tigers, vol. 12 music album. from Col. Soosai, special commander of LTTE's naval wing. [Photo: LTTE]
BT Day, 2008
LTTE leader receiving the first copy of Black Tigers, volume 09, from LTTE Political Head B. Nadesan [Photo: LTTE]

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Pirapaharan addresses Black Tigers in Vanni
05 July 2007


V. Pirapaharan, leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) participated in a special commemoration event marking Black Tigers Day with several hundred Black Tiger cadres attending at the event in Vanni on Thursday, LTTE officials told media in Ki'linochchi. LTTE leader addressed the Black Tigers after lighting the flame of sacrifice at 7:05 p.m. the time of the death of first Black Tiger, Captain Miller. A total of 322 Black Tigers have been killed in action from Captain Miller´s death in 1987 until 30th June 2007, according to the Tamileelam Heroes Secretariat in Vanni.


Black Tigers Day
LTTE leader lit the flame of sacrifice among Black Tiger cadres in Vanni [Photo: LTTE]


Twenty years ago, on 5th July, 1987 LTTE's first Black Tiger Miller drove an explosive laden truck on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops garrisoned in a school in Vadamaraadchi, killing more than 40 SLA troopers.

Since his death, 81 Black Tigers, 63 men and 18 women, have died in action on land, and 241 cadres, 169 men and 72 women, have died at sea, according to the figures published by the Tamileelam Heroes Secretariat.

Black Tigers Day
Mr. Pirapaharan garlanding first Black Tiger Captain Miller's picture frame. [Photo: LTTE]


Remembrance events were held in several areas in Vanni with sport events and public meetings for the past five days.

The first event commemorating the Black Tiger´s week was held in Kilinochchi Central College grounds presided by the Head of Federation of Tamil Organizations (FTO) Prabhakaran at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Pon.Thiyagam, Director of Heroes Welfare Association, lit the common flame of sacrifice at the main event in Kilinochchi Monday at 9:00 a.m. Chief of Tamileelam Judiciary, Mr. Para, and several senior leaders of the LTTE, spoke at the event, according to sources in Vanni.

LTTE leader V. Pirapaharan commemorating fallen Black Tigers [Photo: LTTE]


Memorial archs commemorating fallen Black Tigers were set up on roads this week in Vanni [Photo: TamilNet]
Black Tiger Heroes photographs, displayed in a vehicle designed as a vessel, were taken in a procession in Pu'liyangku'lam [Photo: TamilNet]


Chronology:
05.07.05 NorthEast observes Black Tigers Day

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LTTE leader pays homage to Black Tigers

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 July 2006, 19:28 GMT]
LTTE leader Mr. V. Pirapaharan participated in the Black Tigers commemoration day events held Monday in Vanni. 273 Black Tigers have died since July 05 1987 when LTTE's first Black Tiger, Captain Miller, drove an explosive laden truck on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops garrisoned in Nelliyadi in Vadamaradchi, Jaffna. 194 of the Black Tigers who died on their mission till 25 June 2006, were Black Sea Tigers, according to LTTE sources in Vanni.

56 Black Sea Tigers were women fighters and 18 of the 79 Black Tigers who died during attacks on land were women cadres, LTTE sources added.

Black Tigers
LTTE's media unit released edited photos of LTTE leader paying homage to Black Tigers who died in their missions. Senior Commanders of the LTTE and other Black Tigers were present with Pirapaharan at an undisclosed location in Vanni.


A number of Black Sea Tiger divers have blown themselves up to destroy Sri Lanka Navy vessels.

Analysts have identified a third type of Black Tiger cadres referred as "Champion Black Tigers." Very little is known about this special unit.

During the strategic LTTE operation on Elephant Pass (EPS) garrison, Black Tiger units destroyed artillery positions.

On 24 July, 2001, a major attack was carried out in Colombo on Colombo Air base, 8 military aircrafts of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) were destroyed.

The attack on Katunayake military base and the adjoining airport, is regarded as a landmark operation that brought Colombo to negotiation table.

The Black Tigers Day is observed in the NorthEast on July 5th.

Black Tigers are not referred to as suicide cadres, since all LTTE cadres carry a glass vial of cyanide to prevent being captured alive by the enemy.

Chronology:


Related Articles:
23.04.03 EPS fall: reassessing LTTE's manoeuvre warfare prowess
24.07.01 Tension after dawn raid

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NorthEast observes Black Tigers Day

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 July 2005, 16:28 GMT]
NorthEast Tuesday observed Black Tigers Day with sport events and public meetings, sources in Jaffna said. A main event was held Tuesday evening at Nelliyady Central College in Vadamaradchchi division in Jaffna district where on 5th July, 1987 Captain Miller, the first Black Tiger drove an explosive laden truck on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops garrisoned in the school. Forty soldiers were killed in that attack.

Hundreds of people including students and parents of Black Tigers killed in the war took part in a procession from Nelliyady Junction to the Central College with a Band Music leading the procession.

A float carried photos of Black Tigers.

Thousands of people lined up along both sides of the road and paid their homage to departed Black Tigers, sources said.

Mr.C.Ilamparithi, Jaffna district LTTE political head lit the common flame of sacrifice and Ms Kamaladevi Vallipuram lit the flame of sacrifice to the photograph of her son Captain Miller followed by Mr.Vinayagam, Commander of the Sea Tigers, Mr.K.Sivanesan, Jaffna district parliamentarians, Mr.Baliah, President of Tsunami Task Force and a Hindu priest.

Thereafter large number of people paid their homage by offering flowers in front of the photographs of Black Tigers.

In the morning event Mr.C.Inban, Vadamaradchchi division political head hoisted the Thamileelam national flag and Mr.N.Anbalagan, Sea Tigers Political Head garlanded the statue of Captain Miller.

Black Tigers Day events were held in Killinochchi where a procession carrying photographs of Black Tigers including Captain Miller and Captain Angayatkanni commenced from Killinochchi Kandasamy Temple premises, sources said.

Black Tigers day events were also held in Andanakulam, Pesalai and other areas in Mannar district.

In Trincomalee district the main Black Tigers day event was held in Sampoor in the LTTE controlled Muttur east from morning till midnight with sport activities, cultural items and public meeting.

Chronology:
05.07.05 NorthEast observes Black Tigers Day

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Northeast prepares to celebrate Black Tigers' day

[TamilNet, Friday, 04 July 2003, 12:52 GMT]
Red and Yellow flags, decorative ornaments and picture boards adorned streets and junctions in key towns including Jaffna, Point Pedro, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, projecting a festival atmosphere as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and people of Northeast prepared to celebrate the Black Tigers day, Saturday, 5th July, sources said.

July 5 is the 16th anniversary of the death of the first Black Tiger, Captain Miller from Thunnalai in Vadamaradchi, who was killed destroying a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) base located in the Nelliady Madhya Maha Vidyalayam, 3 km southwest of Point Pedro in 1987.

LTTE's Heros' Office informed that todate 241 black tigers have sacrificed their lives.

Several pageants have been organized to carry pictures of black tigers to be taken in procession across several areas in the Northeast, the LTTE office said. Prayer meetings will be held at predetermined venues when the pageants arrive at these venues.

Celebrations will involve raising of Tamil eelam national flag, lighting of sacrificial flame, placing flower garlands to pictures of Black Tigers followed by music and cultural events, according to organizers.

Senior Military Commanders of the LTTE, and parents and close relatives of the black tigers will participate in the ceremonies added the Black Tiger day organizers.

Black Tigers' identities are closely guarded. Having completed their training, they serve in regular LTTE units, concealing their membership. When called up for a mission, they take routine leave and if they survive, return to regular service again. Membership is only revealed if they are killed in combat.

The Sri Lankan government and press demonise the Black Tigers as fanatical 'suicide bombers' in an attempt to exploit Western discomfort with the concept, and to draw critical parallels with other parts of the world.

A British film crew which met up with some Black Tigers in the east of the island in 1996, discounted government claims that the Tigers were irrational or drug-crazed. The Sri Lankan government tried unsuccessfully to prevent the film being shown in England.

In fact, the Black Tigers constitute a successful military unit which has inflicted disproportionately severe physical and psychological damage on the Sri Lankan military, the latter with the help of the Sri Lankan government's own propaganda. The commandos are some of the LTTE's best fighters and often have several years combat experience.

Chronology:


Related Articles:
06.07.02 Black Tiger day marked at site of first attack
05.07.01 Security stepped up for Black Tigers day
05.07.00 Black Tiger day commemorated
06.07.99 Batticaloa marks 'Black Tiger' day
06.07.97 Tamils mark Black Tigers' Day

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Black Tigers day celebrated in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Saturday, 05 July 2003, 09:40 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Head of Vavuniya Political Wing, S, Elilan, garlanded and placed flowers to the memorial stone of Lt.Colonel Bork who died in the 1990 attack on Mankulam Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp, during the Black Tigers day celebrations in Vavuniya, Saturday, Vavuniya residents attending the celebrations said.

Vavuniya district administrator of Heros' cemetaries, Adaikan Selvarajah, similarly flower garlanded memorial stones of Captain Kalaichelvan and Captain Mathumitha during the ceremonies.

Black Tiger day celebrations in started with Elilan hoisting the Tamil Eelam flag at the Eechankulam Heros' Cemetary. Selvarajah lit the ceremonial lamp.

black tigers day LTTE's Vavuniya Political head Mr.S.Elilan is seen garlanding Black Tiger Lt.Col.Bork's "Nadukal" at the Eachchankulam Maveerar Thuyilum Illam. Lt.Col.Bork (Mapanapillai Arasaratnam of Arumuhathan Puthukulam Vavuniya) was killed on 23.11.1990 when he helped destroy the entrance to strategic Mankulam SLA camp

Vavuniya town was decorated with yellow and red flags; important street corners large picture boards of Black Tigers. Vehicles in the district carried flags with black tigers' insignia.

Businesses in Vavuniya closed at 1 pm as a mark of respect. In schools and in several business premises students and workers paid respect to black tigers memorial photos sprinkling flower petals.

Armored vehicles of SLA patrolled the streets of Vavuniya during Friday night. Masked men were seen pasting leaflets over the Black Tiger day celebration announcements. Black Tiger memorial announcements again appeared in the same positions Saturday morning. Vavuniya residents said that although opposing factions were active no altercations were reported.

black tigers day A scene of a street in a remote village in Vavniya district on the 5th morning

Black Tigers' identities are closely guarded. Having completed their training, they serve in regular LTTE units, concealing their membership. When called up for a mission, they take routine leave and if they survive, return to regular service again. Membership is only revealed if they are killed in combat.

The Black Tigers constitute a successful military unit which has inflicted disproportionately severe physical and psychological damage on the Sri Lankan military, the latter with the help of the Sri Lankan government's own propaganda. The commandos are some of the LTTE's best fighters and often have several years combat experience.

Chronology:

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LTTE COMMEMORATIVE CONSTRUCT IN JAFFNA


Commmorative structure made for the Black Tigers Day on July 5 2005 in Nelliady, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Memorial gallery with photos of killed Black Tiger cadres.

These two images shows a small commmorative structure made for the Black Tigers Day on July 5 2005 in Nelliady, Jaffna, Sri Lanka and a gallery of LTTE Black Tiger cadres.

Copyright © belongs to Wikimedia Commons user Ulf Larsen, all rights reserved. They are published here with the kind permission of the author. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, with the name of the uploader, and this list of conditions; Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, with the name of the uploader, and this list of conditions in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution; Neither the name of the uploader nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.

The LTTE maintains a web site with several images of memorial statues and constructs, but the image gallery doesn’t include any information

Tension after dawn raid

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 July 2001, 08:47 GMT]
Thirteen air crafts including two Kfir jet fighters, one MI-24 Helicopter gun ship and one MIG-27- jet fighter were destroyed in the predawn attack on the Katunayake air base, about 35 km. north of Colombo, by members of the Liberation Tigers, according to official military sources in Colombo.

Three military trainee planes and five civilian jets were also among the destroyed air crafts.

Military sources in Colombo said several ammunition dumps and oil storage were also destroyed.

They said 12 attackers and 4 Air Force personnel have been killed. Nineteen air force personnel were also wounded.

24_07_01_airbase_attack_2.jpg

Residents living close to the air base said large explosions rocked the area and gun battle continued for nearly four hours.

Sri Lankan military authorities have declared an indefinite curfew in several areas in the Negombo district. "The activities of the International airport have been temporarily suspended" a government special communiqué said this morning.

The temporary closure of the international airport has been notified to international airlines, according to the Director of Civil Aviation, Lal Liayanarachchi.

24_07_01_airbase_attack_1.jpg

Katunayake, Negombo, Minuwangoda, Divulapitiya, Seeduwa and Jaela police areas are now under curfew, security sources said.

Meanwhile no one is allowed to enter Colombo harbour Tuesday morning as a precautionary measure, following the attack on Katunayake said sources.

President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge Tuesday morning held an emergency meeting with chiefs of three armed forces and the Inspector General of Police following the attack.

Earlier the Deputy Minister of Defense General Anuruddha Ratwatte inspected the airforce base accompanied by the Defense Ministry Secretary Chandrananda de Silva, President's Secretary K. Balapatepandi, chiefs of three armed forces and the Inspector General of Police

Chronology: