View source for Divisions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

{{Short description|Military divisions in Sri Lanka organization}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
'''Divisions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam''' refers to the military, intelligence and overseas divisions the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE). Most of these divisions were destroyed during the [[Eelam War IV]], and only parts of the intelligence and financing divisions remain overseas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/India/The_Year_That_Was_Obama_President_LTTE_Demolished_Singh-1164.html|title=The Year That Was : Obama President, LTTE Demolished, Singh Is King|author=Staff writer |date=December 2009| publisher=India TV news|access-date=2011-07-30}}</ref>

==Military wing==
[[File:Uniform of LTTE Cadres.png|thumb|Uniforms of LTTE Cadres;TL: Ground Troops, TR:Air Force, BL: Black Tigers (Suicide Bombers) and BR: Naval Forces]]

===Black Tigers===
{{Main|LTTE Black Tiger}}
Black Tigers is the LTTE division that carried out [[suicide attacks]] in the South and other parts of the country. It consisted of selected cadres from other regiments. The division was formed in July 1987, with the attack carried out by [[Captain Miller (Tamil militant)|Vallipuram Vasanthan]] ''alias'' Captain Miller, by driving an explosive laden truck into a [[Sri Lanka Army]] camp in Nelliady Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, [[Jaffna]], killing himself and 128 soldiers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090213140440/http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-wosri0719,0,990180.story?page=2&coll=ny-top-headlines Newsday- Black Tigers: Secrets of their success]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20031217102802/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EG17Df03.html  Asia Times,Suicide bombers feared and revered, July 17, 2003]</ref> It was the first occasion that a Black Tiger blew up himself. LTTE intelligence wing leader Shanmugalingam Sivashankar ''alias'' Pottu Amman headed the outfit from its inception to destruction. According to LTTE, between 5 July 1987 and 20 November 2008, 378 black tigers (274 male and 104 female) had carried out suicide attacks.<ref name="rep">{{cite web|title=Humanitarian Operation - Factual Analysis, July 2006 - May 2009 |url=http://www.defence.lk/news/20110801_Conf.pdf |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)]] |date=1 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055103/http://www.defence.lk/news/20110801_Conf.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref>

Black Tiger wing carried out attacks on various high-profile leaders both inside and outside Sri Lanka.<ref name=Gambetta2005>{{Cite book|author=Gambetta, D. |date=26 May 2005 |title=Making sense of suicide missions |url=https://archive.org/details/makingsensesuici00gamb |url-access=limited |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=New York |isbn=978-0-19-927699-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/makingsensesuici00gamb/page/n74 60]–70}}</ref> It had successfully targeted 3 world leaders, only insurgent group to do so. That includes [[Rajiv Gandhi assassination|assassination of Rajiv Gandhi]], the former [[Prime Minister of India]] on 21 May 1991,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Tamil Tiger 'regret' over Gandhi |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/5122032.stm?ls |work=[[BBC]] |date=2006-06-27 |access-date=2007-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=We killed Rajiv, confesses LTTE |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/We-killed-Rajiv-confesses-LTTE/articleshow/1686574.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908152114/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-06-28/india/27793042_1_ltte-suicide-bomber-rajiv-gandhi-velupillai-prabhakaran |url-status=live |archive-date=2011-09-08 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=2006-06-28 |access-date=2007-05-10}}</ref> assassination of [[Ranasinghe Premadasa]], the [[President of Sri Lanka]] on 1 May 1993<ref>{{Cite news|first=Mark |last=Baker |title=Hopes high for end to Sri Lanka war |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/15/1032054710030.html |work=[[The Age]] |date=2002-09-16 |access-date=2007-05-10 |location=Melbourne}}</ref> and failed assassination attempt of [[Chandrika Kumaratunga]], the Sri Lankan President on 18 December 1999, which resulted in the loss of her right eye.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sri Lanka: In the name of clemency |url=http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1701/17010320.htm |work=Front Line |date=Jan 21, 2000 |access-date=2011-06-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521213649/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl1701/17010320.htm |archive-date=2006-05-21 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Analysis: Questions about the Bomb Blasts|url=http://k.t.rajasingam.tripod.com/analysis.htm|work=K.T.Rajasingham  |date=Jan 2, 2000 |access-date=2011-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=The Mission of Truth -3 |url=http://www.defence.lk/LTTE/20110523MOT.asp |work=Ministry of Defense, Sri Lanka |access-date=2011-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603202328/http://www.defence.lk/LTTE/20110523MOT.asp |archive-date=2011-06-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The slain Black Tiger cadres were highly glorified and their families were given the "Maaveerar family" status. Those cadres were given a chance to have his/her last supper with the LTTE leader Prabhakaran, which was considered a rare honour in the LTTE controlled area. This, in turn motivated LTTE cadres to join the Black Tiger wing.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Unmasking of Prabhakaran|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/publication/idr/vol_17%282%29/sp_sinha.htm |access-date=10 August 2011}}</ref>

===Sea Tigers===
{{Main|Sea Tigers}}
[[File:Sea_Tiger_Fast_Attack_boat.jpg|left|thumb|Sea Tiger fast attack boat.]]
[[File:Loading LTTE cadres in calm sea.jpg|thumb|Sea tiger boat.]]
The Sea Tigers was the naval wing of LTTE, founded in 1984.  During its existence, it had sunk at least 29 small inshore patrol boats and one [[Cargo ship|freighter]] of [[Sri Lanka Navy]].<ref>[http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=9803 Article on LTTE from Energypublisher] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928181712/http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=9803 |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> The Sea Tigers also had a number of small but effective suicide bomber vessels<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071021110045/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/HH31Df01.html Atimes.com mentioning suicide Sea Tiger boats sinking two SLN patrol boats and killing 17 SLN sailors]</ref> with which they staged several attacks against Sri Lankan civilian and military ports and shipping. The Sea Tigers were led by [[Thillaiyampalam Sivanesan]] ''alias'' Soosai, with their main base at [[Mullaitivu]], on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka.<ref>[http://www.saag.org/papers17/paper1667.html Article in SAAG.ORG stating that the Sea Tigers main base are in Mullaitivu]</ref> The Sea Tigers' fighting capabilities diminished towards the end of 2008, as the Sri Lankan Army captured more of its bases such as Viduthalathivu and Nachchikuda, and Sri Lanka Navy strictly cordoned off the Northern sea.

===Air Tigers===
{{Main|Air Tigers}}
{| style="text-align:center; float: right; font-size:85%; margin-left: 2em;" align="center" class="wikitable"
|+ Aircraft in LTTE possession<ref name="rep"/><ref name="fdocuments.in">{{Cite web|url=https://fdocuments.in/document/dossier-on-ltte-weapons.html|title = Dossier on LTTE Weapons - &#91;PDF Document&#93;|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320203918/https://fdocuments.in/document/dossier-on-ltte-weapons.html|archive-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref>
! Type of Aircraft !! Quantity
|-
! [[Ultralight aviation#Types|Micro Light Gliders]]
| 2
|-
! [[Zlín Z 43|ZLIN 143]]
| 5
|-
! [[Robinson R-44]]
| 1
|-
! [[Gyroplane]]
| 2
|-
! [[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]s
| 2
|}

Air Tigers was the [[aircraft|air]]-wing of LTTE. Its existence had been subject to speculation for many years, but was only revealed after the first attack in March 2007, making the LTTE the only militant organisation (besides [[ISIS]]) in the world, known to have obtained and used aircraft. The LTTE credits the formation of the Air Tigers wing to [[Colonel Shankar]], alias Vythialingam Sornalingam. On November 27–28, 1998, [[Tamilnet]] reported,<ref name = "Tamil 2391">[http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=2391  Tiger Air Wing participates in celebrations].  [[TamilNet]], November 28, 1998.</ref><ref name = "Tamil 2388">[http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=2388  Tigers confirm Air wing].  [[TamilNet]], November 27, 1998.</ref> the LTTE-operated Voice of Tiger radio station had claimed that "Aircraft of the Air Tiger wing of the Liberation Tigers [had] sprinkled flowers over the cemeteries of the slain LTTE cadres in Mulliyawalai," during the annual Heroes Day celebrations. This was not confirmed by the [[Sri Lanka Air Force]] but several reports have received that unidentified aircraft had been seen in [[Mullaitivu]] sky. On August 11, 2006, quoting unidentified sources in Jaffna, [[Tamilnet]] reported<ref name = "Tamil 19186">[http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=19186  Tiger aircraft rockets Palaly base, curfew in Jaffna].  [[TamilNet]], August 11, 2006.</ref> that "at least one unidentified aircraft" had flown over the Sri Lankan military base at [[Palaly Military Base|Palali]], firing "rockets" at government forces. However, these aircraft were only identified for the first time after they carried out an attack on [[Bandaranaike International Airport#SLAF Katunayake|Katunayake Air force base]] in March 2007 in which two [[Z 143|Z Lin Z 143]] [[light aircraft]] were used. This was followed by 8 more attacks on military targets. The final one was a [[2009 suicide air raid on Colombo|suicide air raid]] targeting Sri Lanka Air Force [[SLAF Colombo|headquarters in Colombo]] in February 2009. During the [[2008–2009 Sri Lankan Army Northern offensive|Northern offensive]], [[Sri Lanka Army]] captured 7 aircraft [[runway]]s belonging to the LTTE.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

===Charles Anthony Special Regiment===
{{Main|Charles Anthony Regiment}}
Charles Anthony Special Regiment''(Native language:சாள்ஸ் அன்ரனி சிறப்பு படையணி)'' was the first conventional fighting formation created by the LTTE, on 10 April 1991.<ref>{{cite news|date=2007-02-07|title=Charles Anthony Brigade retrained|work=DefenceNet|url=https://defencenet.blogspot.com/2007/02/charles-anthony-brigade-retrained-ltte.html|access-date=2008-10-08}}</ref> It has remained the main fighting force throughout the rest of the time of LTTE and has fought several major battles in the civil war including [[Operation Jayasikurui]], the [[Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)|Battle of Mullaitivu]], the [[2008–2009 Battle of Kilinochchi|Battle of Kilinochchi]], the [[Second Battle of Elephant Pass]] and the LTTE's Operation Unceasing Waves (Oyatha Alaigal) I, II, III and IV.<ref name="tamilnet.com">{{cite news|date=2006-04-11|title=Charles Anthony Brigade celebrates 15th anniversary of inauguration|work=Tamilnet|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=17735|access-date=2008-10-08}}</ref> The brigade was named after [[Charles Lucas Anthony]] ''alias'' Lt. Seelan, who had been LTTE leader [[Velupillai Prabhakaran]]'s right-hand man during the early stages of the LTTE, and was also the first attack commander of the LTTE. [[Kandiah Balasegaran]] ''alias'' Balraj, [[List of commanders of the LTTE|Amuthab]] and [[List of commanders of the LTTE|Gobith]] have also served as its commanders. During the final days of the civil war, the regiment had been completely destroyed.

=== Jeyanthan Regiment ===
{{Main|Jeyanthan Brigade}}
Jeyanthan Brigade consisted of LTTE fighters from the Eastern Province. Its fighters participated in many conventional battles including the [[Battle of Pooneryn]], [[Operation Jayasikurui]], the [[Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)|Battle of Mullaitivu]], the [[Battle of Kilinochchi (1998)|Battle of Kilinochchi]] and the [[Second Battle of Elephant Pass]].<ref>{{cite news|date=2007-03-16|title=Army commandos join the battle|work=DefenceNet|url=https://defencenet.blogspot.com/2007/03/army-commandos-join-battle.html|access-date=2008-12-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2005-05-05|title=Pirapaharan extols Jeyanthan Brigade on 12th anniversary|work=Tamilnet|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=14818|access-date=2008-12-17}}</ref> The brigade was named in the memory of Sampukuddi Pathmanthan ''alias'' Captain 'Jeyanthan'. Jeyanthan Brigade deputy, Col. Nagesh was killed in the [[Battle of Aanandapuram]] and the commander of Jayanthan Brigade Col. Keerththi was killed on 15.5.2009 <ref name="lankawatch" />
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float: right; font-size:85%; margin-left: 2em;" align="center"
|+ Heavy artillery in LTTE possession<ref name="rep" /><ref name="fdocuments.in"/>
! Type of artillery !! Quantity
|-
! 152&nbsp;mm towed gun-howitzer 
| 15
|-
! 130&nbsp;mm towed field gun 
| 12
|-
! 122&nbsp;mm howitzer 
| 10
|-
! 85&nbsp;mm Gun T-56 
| 2
|-
! Improvised 106mm Artillery
| 1+
|-
! Indigenously produced long-range artillery<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/pA-JhhPjRnI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210411004721/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA-JhhPjRnI Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA-JhhPjRnI| title = More LTTE weapons recovered | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| 5
|-
! 2 types of 107&nbsp;mm Indigenous MBRL(6-barrel)
| 2
|-
! [[Type 63 multiple rocket launcher]] (12-barrel)
| 1
|-
! 107&nbsp;mm Indigenous Single BRL (1-barrel)
| 1
|}

=== Kittu Artillery Brigade ===
The [[artillery brigade]] of the LTTE military.<ref name="lankaw">{{cite news|title=UN War Casualty Figure is Made Up of Annihilated Tiger Brigades|work=Lankaweb|url=http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2011/07/03/un-war-casualty-figure-is-made-up-of-annihilated-tiger-brigades/|access-date=30 July 2011}}</ref> Its commander Brig. Mannivannan was killed in the [[Battle of Aanandapuram]].<ref name="lankawatch" /> Weapons in possession of Kittu artillery brigade by 2008 included 130mm [[Type 59-1]] field guns, 152mm [[Type 66 howitzer|Type 66]] gun-howitzers, 120mm T-86 & T-83, [[Type 63 multiple rocket launcher|Type 63]] multiple rocket launchers and other kinds of artillery (see list). Some of these guns had been captured from the army at [[Battle of Pulukunawa|Pulukunawa]], [[Battle of Mullaitivu (1996)|Mullaitivu]] and [[Second Battle of Elephant Pass|Elephant Pass]], while most 130mm and 152mm guns have been purchased by the LTTE.<ref name="MoD1">{{cite book |title=Humanitarian Operation Factual Analysis July 2006 – May 2009 |publisher=Ministry Of Defence Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka |url=http://slembassyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Sri-Lankan-Humanitarian-Operation-Factual-Analysis.pdf |access-date=9 September 2021}}</ref>

===Kutti Sri Mortar Brigade===
This is the [[Mortar (weapon)|Mortar]] brigade of the LTTE.<ref name="lankaw" /> Captured weapons of Kutti Siri mortar brigade''(see list)''. But they have already destroyed a large number of mortars during the final stages. So the actual number is unknown. Along with it they also produced homemade mortars of their own like the [[Mortar (weapon)|Baba Mortar and Pasilan 2000]]. Col. Gopalan, the Kutti Sri Mortar Brigade deputy commander, was killed in the [[Battle of Aanandapuram]]. Brig. Bhanu, the overall commander of this brigade was killed on 18 May 2009.<ref name="lankawatch" /> Lt. Col. Bhavanithi was the special commander of the women division of the Kutti Sri mortar brigade. Her fate is unknown.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float: right; font-size:85%; margin-left: 2em;" align="right"
|+ Mortar in LTTE possession<ref name="rep" /><ref name="fdocuments.in"/><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WteVDgAAQBAJ&dq=ltte+140+mm+artillery&pg=PT220 | title=Total Destruction of the Tamil Tigers: The Rare Victory of Sri Lanka's Long War | isbn=9781783830749 | last1=Moorcraft | first1=Paul | date=19 March 2013 }}</ref>
! Type of Mortar!! Quantity
|-
! 140&nbsp;mm Mortar
| 4
|-
! 120&nbsp;mm Mortar
| 57
|-
! 82&nbsp;mm Mortar
| 38
|-
! 81&nbsp;mm Mortar
| 147
|-
! 60&nbsp;mm Mortar
| 487
|-
! [[commando mortar]]
| 65
|-
|}

===Radha Air-Defence Regiment===
[[File:9K38 Igla launch tubes.jpg|thumb|Sri Lankan Army captured a number of 9K38 Igla launch tubes from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and these were used by the Radha Air-Defence Regiment to target Sri Lankan Air Force aircraft on several occasions. Today, these captured launch tubes are displayed at the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum.]]

Ratha Regiment was the assigned air defence unit of the LTTE and gave personnel protection to LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabakaran. Until 2002 this unit was a part of the Imran-Pandian regiment of LTTE and was known as the '''Ratha Airdefence Team'''. After 2002 many cadets from other units were included and the unit expanded as the 'Radha Air-defence Regiment'. They were further divided into:-
* Yesudas Security Team
* Anti-aircraft missile Team
* Aerial surveillance team

As the anti-aircraft regiment of LTTE, it carried out 4 successful [[surface-to-air missile]] attacks on [[Sri Lanka Air Force]] passenger flights. Attacked aircraft are: 2 [[Avro]] aircraft (On 28 & 29 April 1995) which were shot by Brigadier Gaddafi, 1 [[Antonov An-32]] (On 22 November 1995) and 1 [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopter (On 22 January 1996). All 4 attacks took place at [[SLAF Palaly|Palaly Air Force base]], killing at least 202 servicemen. This regiment had at least 5 [[9K38 Igla|IGLA 1]] missile launchers and 16+ IGLA 1 (SA 16) missiles in its possession. Along with this they also had [[9K32 Strela-2|SA-7 Grail]], [[SA-14 Gremlin|9K34 Strela-3]], [[FIM-92 Stinger]], and [[HN-5]] [[Man-portable air-defense system|MANPADS]] launchers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140818055508/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/M-files/Armed%20groups%27%20guided%20missiles%20-%20March%20update.pdf Guided light weapons reportedly held by non-state armed groups 1998-2013, Small Arms Survey March 2013]</ref> They were also equipped with a 40mm AA gun (Found mounted on a Buffel), a T-65/74 37&nbsp;mm cannon, a T-61 25mm double-barrel AA gun (Captured from the SLA during the [[Second Battle of Elephant Pass|Battle of Elephant Pass]]) and many other antiaircraft weapons. Most of these guns were captured by SLA during the final months of battle.<ref name="rep"/> Lt. Col. Silambarasan, the commander of the Ratha Regiment was killed in [[Battle of Aanandapuram]], and his deputy Lt. Col. Anbu was captured and later executed.<ref name="lankawatch">{{cite news |title=For This All that Blood was Shed |url=http://srilankawatch.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=1|work=Sri Lanka Watch|date=13 April 2009|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref>


====Suran Armoured Team====

This unit was operating under the Imran-Pandiyan regiment as an LTTE's armoured unit and commanded by Lt. Col. Paartheepan until his death in 13-08-2006 and later by Maniyarasan. Suran armoured unit had a [[T-55]] [[Main battle tank]], captured from [[Sri Lanka Army]] in the battle of Poonakarey in 1993 and a T-55 AM2 tank believed to be captured during the [[Second Battle of Elephant Pass]]. Army troops re-captured the T-55 tank in the west of Putumattalan in April 2009 <ref name="tank">{{cite web|date=9 April 2009|title=Army troops recovered LTTE's T-55 Main Battle Tank|url=http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=7449|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929224311/http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=7449|archive-date=29 September 2011|access-date=3 August 2011|publisher=Lanka e-News}}</ref> and destroyed T-55 AM2 in a battle at Puthukudiyiruppu, 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.army.lk/news/ltte-armoured-car-destroyed | title=LTTE Armoured Car Destroyed &#124; Sri Lanka Army }}</ref> Another Light Composite Tank,<ref name="Tamil Tigers Light Tank">{{cite web | url=https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/tamil-tigers-light-tank/#:~:text=The%20light%20tank%20which%20was,a%20lot%20later%20than%20that | title=Tamil Tigers Light Tank | date=16 February 2022 }}</ref> which was improvised by the LTTE, was captured by the SLA during the last day of the armed civil war.

===Ponnamman Mining Unit===
The specialised [[Mining (military)|mining]] unit of the LTTE. Lt. Col. Asmi, the commander of the Ponnamman mining unit was captured in the [[Battle of Aanandapuram]] and believed to be executed later.<ref name="lankawatch" />

===Thesiya Man Meetpup Padai ''aka'' Pistol Gang===
The real name of this Pistol gang is ''Thesiya Man Meetpup Padai'', Literal translation: ''National Land Reclamation Force''. But they were famously known as the '''Pistol gang'''. LTTE pistol gang is involved in many hit-and-run operations on government agents, security force members, security forces informants, dissidents etc.<ref name="pist">{{cite news |title=LTTE guns down 'dreaded' informant Plote Mohan|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/040801/news/6.html|work=Lankaweb|access-date=1 August 2011}}</ref>

=== Auxiliary forces ===
These groups were dubbed as Special Task Forces.

==== Eela Padai ====
Eela Padai consisted of civilians recruited by LTTE. It had a strength of 5000, who were used as [[home guard]]s and later, for defensive and offensive purposes. They were on the payroll of LTTE. Members of Eela Padai received a monthly salary of about Rs. 2,500 (US$25).<ref name="sundyt">{{cite news |first=Iqbal |last=Athas |title=Expanding Tiger civil service|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/020609/columns/sitrep2.html|work=Sunday Times|access-date=1 August 2011}}</ref>

==== Grama Padai ====
Grama Padai ''aka'' Rural Force was an auxiliary force of LTTE, used to assist it in meeting logistics requirements as well as for carrying out defensive operations. It also had a strength of about 5000.<ref name="sundyt"/>

==== Thunai Padai ====
Thunai Padai was a Support Force of LTTE.<ref name="sundyt"/> They were further divided into  
* Neelan Thunaip Padai
* Maravan Thunaip Padai

==Women's wing==
[[File:Tamil Tiger women at war.jpg|thumb|right|LTTE women's wing of Victor anti-tank regiment(Front) and General Purpose Machine Gun Team(Rear) marching in a parade.]]
LTTE's [[women's wing]] had consisted of 4 regiments and each wing consisted of around 1000 cadets. They engaged in military offensives as well as administrative tasks.

===Malathi Regiment===
One of the two women's military brigades of LTTE. Named after the first woman killed on behalf of LTTE, during operations against the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]], Malathi. Its Special commander Brig. Vithusha and her deputy Col. Kamalini were killed during [[Battle of Aanandapuram]] in April 2009.<ref name="ttn">{{cite news |title=The LTTE Leadership|url=http://ttnet.bravehost.com/features/ltte/theltte.html|work=TTnet|access-date=30 July 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328091945/http://ttnet.bravehost.com/features/ltte/theltte.html|archive-date= March 28, 2012}}</ref>

===Sothiya Regiment===
This is the other women's military brigade of LTTE. Named after Maj. Sothiya, commander of the first women's unit formed in 1989. She died of [[meningitis]] in 1990. Its Special commander Brig. Thurga, and her deputy Col. Mohana were killed during [[Battle of Aanandapuram]].<ref name="ttn"/> After the death of Thurga, Mathuram was appointed as its Special commander and she too was killed during the final days of the war in 2009

==Intelligence wing==

===Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service===

Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service ''aka'' TOSIS, formed in December 1983, was the intelligence service of LTTE. It was run by Pottu Amman. Kapil Amman served as its deputy leader. TOSIS had been instrumental in all of the attacks of LTTE, especially the Black Tiger suicide attacks. TOSIS had played a crucial role in identifying [[Gopalaswamy Mahendraraja]] ''alias'' Mahattaya had been leaking secrets to India's [[Research and Analysis Wing]]. The responsibility of administering the LTTE's intelligence wing was entrusted to Pottu Amman in mid 1988 by Prabhakaran. Before that, it was run by a person called Vasanthan, who left the organization in 1987.<ref name="gfd">{{cite news|title='Pottu Amman' and the Intelligence Division of the LTTE|url=http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=8303|work=D.B.S Jeyaraj|access-date=2011-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929224248/http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=8303|archive-date=2011-09-29|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most of its cardres were killed in May 2009. Present status is unknown.

===Military intelligence===
LTTE's military intelligence was separate from TOSIS and was headed by [[Shanmuganathan Ravishankar]] ''alias'' Colonel. Charles. He was killed in a [[Sri Lanka Army]] [[Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (Sri Lanka)|Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP)]] [[M18 Claymore mine|claymore attack]] in Pallemadu, [[Mannar, Sri Lanka|Mannar]] in January 2008.<ref name="exp">{{cite news |title=LTTE intelligence chief 'colonel' Charles killed|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/LTTE-intelligence-chief-colonel-Charles-killed/258319/|work=Express India|date=January 2008|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref>

==Political wing==
LTTE had a separate political wing for civil administrative matters. [[S. P. Thamilselvan]] headed this wing until his death in November 2007. After that, [[Balasingham Nadesan]], whom initially was [[Constable]] of [[Sri Lanka Police]], headed the wing until his death on 18 May 2009. Political wing had a wide range of departments under its control. Prior to the end of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|conflict]], it functioned almost like a separate state. However, negotiation with the Sri Lankan government was carried out at almost all the time by [[Anton Balasingham]], who was LTTE's [[:wikt:theoretician|theoretician]] and chief negotiator, with the inclusion of the head of the political wing, during peace talks. But crucial decisions were taken almost entirely by Balasingham and LTTE leader Prabhakaran.

=== Tamil Eelam Economic Development Organisation ===
Tamil Eelam Economic Development Organisation (TEEDOR) oversaw all development and civil activities in the LTTE controlled area. Its areas of concern include education, transport, administrative service, health service, banking, forest conservation, fisheries, industries, revenue collection, tax collection, public utilities, agriculture, irrigation, environment, road development and construction. Its headquarters was situated in [[Kilinochchi]]. [[V. Balakumaran (Tamil activist)|V. Balakumaran]], a one-time senior leader of the [[Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students]] (EROS), had been its head.<ref name="sundyt"/>

===International Peace Secretariat===
The LTTE Peace secretariat, created after the 2002 [[Ceasefire Agreement]], conducted foreign relations on behalf of the organization, issued statements and handled the relations with media. Seevaratnam Prabaharan ''alias'' Pulidevan was the Director of it. In June 2008, news emerged that Pulidevan had been put into house arrest for alleged charges of treachery against the outfit.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news |title=Pulidevan under house arrest? |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/03/stories/2008060355021300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606022631/http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/03/stories/2008060355021300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-06-06|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=June 2008|access-date=31 July 2011 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> In a similar move, LTTE put [[Gopalaswamy Mahendraraja]] ''alias'' Mahattaya, into house arrest and subsequently executed under the charges of leaking secrets to India's [[Research and Analysis Wing]]. Mahattaya was the head of [[People's Front of Liberation Tigers]], the Tamil Tigers' political party. However it fell out with the LTTE.

===Police Force===
[[File:LTTE_Police_Women.jpg|thumb|LTTE Women Police]]
LTTE created its own [[police]] force in 1992. Balasingham Nadesan was its head throughout its existence, although he was promoted as the head of political wing in November 2008.<ref name="chen">{{cite news|title=Nadesan to head LTTE political wing|url=http://news.chennaionline.com/newsitem.aspx?NEWSID=8b48a16c-65fa-4aae-8105-92ecc39aafa7&CATEGORYNAME=NATL|work=Chennai Online|date=November 2007|access-date=31 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005155608/http://news.chennaionline.com/newsitem.aspx?NEWSID=8b48a16c-65fa-4aae-8105-92ecc39aafa7&CATEGORYNAME=NATL|archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> As police chief, Nadesan oversaw the building of new police stations in the East following the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement. LTTE Police Headquarters was situated in [[Kilinochchi]] town.

===LTTE court===
[[File:Kilinochchi_court_of_de-facto_State_Tamil_Eelam.jpg|thumb|Kilinochchi court]]
LTTE controlled a separate court system, which looked into civil and criminal cases inside the LTTE controlled area. Main court was situated in the Kilinochchi town.

===Bank of Tamil Eelam===
{{Main|Bank of Tamil Eelam}}
"Bank of Tamil Eelam" was LTTE's official bank, which governed under its political wing. It was established in 1994. LTTE controlled 11 branches of this bank throughout the [[Vanni (Sri Lanka)|Vanni]] region. It had even provided loan and credit facilities to the people of north and east Sri Lanka.<ref name="bank">{{cite news |title=LTTE operated 11 bank branches in North before its defeat|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/52800/ltte-operated-11-bank-branches.html|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=February 2010|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref> The bank suspended its activities on 2 January 2009 after [[Sri Lanka Army]] captured [[Kilinochchi]], the administrative capital of LTTE controlled region.

===Voice of Tigers===
Pulikalin Kural ''aka'' Voice of Tigers, LTTE's [[Radio broadcasting|Radio station]] was established in 1990, in Jaffna. LTTE leader's Maaveerar day speech was usually broadcast on Voice of Tigers on 27 November in each year. Its main broadcasting station was attacked by [[Sri Lanka Air Force]] on 27 November 2007, while the speech was being broadcast. LTTE claims that it was one of the 23 times SLAF has targeted the station.<ref name="puli">{{cite news |title=Pulikalin Kural – Voice of Tigers – Back LIVE on July 5th|url=http://www.voicetamil.com/?p=1406|date=July 2009|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref>

===Sports Division===
LTTE sports division was headed by 'Papa'. He was arrested in May 2009 and now working for the State intelligence services.<ref name="sports">{{cite news |title=LTTE sports head PAPA working for the government intelligence unit|url=http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2011/03/ltte-sports-head-papa-working-for.html|date=March 2009|access-date=1 August 2011}}</ref>

==Global network==
Out of the LTTE's divisions, details about its global network are scarcely known. Prominent tasks conducted by this global network include propaganda, fund raising, arms procurement and shipping. At the height of its power, LTTE had 42 offices all over the world. The global network of LTTE is functional in 4 major areas.<ref name="Transcript- Rohan Gunaratne"/> Departments within the global network include,

===KP Branch===
[[Selvarasa Pathmanathan]] ''alias'' Kumaran Pathmanathan ''alias'' KP was LTTE's chief arms dealer and international head from its rise to prominence in 1983 to signing the Norwegian brokered ceasefire agreement in 2002. KP travelled to various [[black market]]s using 23+ [[Pseudonym|aliases]] and 200+ passports. His continuous shipments of arms fueled the [[Eelam War I]], [[Eelam War II|II]] and [[Eelam War III|III]]. Major achievements of KP branch include purchasing and shipping 60 [[tonne]]s of explosives (50 tonnes of [[Trinitrotoluene|TNT]] and 10 tonnes of [[RDX]]) from Rubezone Chemical plant in [[Ukraine]] in 1994, providing a forged Bangladeshi Ministry of Defense [[end-user certificate]],<ref name="nytr">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/07/world/tamil-guerrillas-in-sri-lanka-deadly-and-armed-to-the-teeth.html?pagewanted=5|title=Tamil Guerrillas in Sri Lanka: Deadly and Armed to the Teeth|author= T. Sabaratnam| work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2011-07-29|date=7 March 1998|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216174848/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/07/world/tamil-guerrillas-in-sri-lanka-deadly-and-armed-to-the-teeth.html|archive-date= December 16, 2014}}</ref> and theft of 32,400 rounds of 81&nbsp;mm [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] ammunition purchased from [[Tanzania]] destined for the Sri Lanka Army.<ref name="mackenzie1">[http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2003/other_peoples_wars7.htm Other people's wars: A Review of Overseas Terrorism in Canada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716081455/http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2003/other_peoples_wars7.htm |date=2011-07-16 }}, John Thompson, The Mackenzie Institute.</ref> In 2002, after the signing of peace deal, some elements within LTTE, allegedly Castro and [[S. P. Thamilselvan|Thamilselvan]] brought forward various charges against KP, including corruption, inefficiency, sexual impropriety etc. Since then, KP was steadily marginalised and in 2003, he went into "voluntary" retirement. But in 2008, after a series of military debacles in North and the East, LTTE leader Prabhakaran requested him to return to the LTTE. KP accepted the request and in January 2009, he was appointed the head of newly created "International relations department".<ref name="dbsj">{{cite news |title=LTTE Cabal opposes "KP" as leader of re-structured Tigers|url=http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/954|work=debsjeyaraj.com|date=July 2009|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref> But his appointment did not stop the tide against LTTE, which was defeated in May 2009. In August 2009, a Sri Lankan military intelligence unit, with the collaboration of local authorities, captured Pathmanathan in the [[Tune Hotels#Malaysia|Tune Hotel]], Downtown [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=LTTE New Leader Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) arrested in Malaysia and transported to Sri Lanka |url=http://www.tamilsydney.com/content/view/2352/37/ |publisher=Tamil Sydney |date=6 August 2009 |access-date=28 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929151057/http://www.tamilsydney.com/content/view/2352/37/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Castro Branch===
Since 2002, after sidelining KP branch, LTTE relied heavily on International secretariat headed by Veerakathy Manivannam ''alias'' Castro for arms shipments and other foreign activities.<ref name="dbsj2">{{cite news|title=LTTE Cabal opposes "KP" as leader of re-structured Tigers|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2011/05/29/fea02.asp|work=Sunday Observer|date=July 2009|access-date=31 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602135339/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/05/29/fea02.asp|archive-date=2 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Castro was based in Kilinochchi, but he had a branch network controlled by him in the foreign countries. [[Perinpanayagam Sivaparan]] ''alias'' Nediyavan, who acts as the LTTE leader in Norway was appointed by him. Castro died in Sri Lanka Army's final offensive in Vellamullivaikkal, [[Mullaitivu]].<ref name="cast">{{cite news |title=Huge success for counter-terrorism - Shanaka Jayasekara |url=http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/954|work=debsjeyaraj.com|date=May 2011|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref>

===Aiyannah Group===
Ponniah Anandaraja ''alias'' Aiyannah led the LTTE's Aiyannah group, which is responsible for LTTE's connection with North Korean government. Aiyannah, a member of World Tamil Coordinating Committee of USA and later, the accountant of LTTE, had worked at the North Korean embassy in [[Bangkok]] since late 1997. [[Jane's Intelligence Review]] states that Aiyannah Group functioned as the "group's [LTTE's] intelligence and operations body, likely to be responsible for monitoring and ensuring the organization's financial support and revenue streams." Most of the LTTE's weapons shipments came from North Korea, since 1997.<ref name="Transcript- Rohan Gunaratne">{{cite web | url=http://www.llrcarchive.org/2010/10/rohan-gunaratne/| title=Transcript- Rohan Gunaratne| publisher=[[Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission]]| year=2010 | access-date=2011-07-28}}</ref>

===TV Stations===
LTTE's global network operated several TV channels in Europe and Australia, named "Tharisanam TV", "Tamil Television Network" (TTN), "Makkal TV" and "Euro TV" as a major propaganda arm. Tharisanm was broadcasting its programmes in connection with companies in France, Israel and Hong Kong. It had used French and Israeli satellites named [[Globecast]] and Satlink, for the broadcasting purposes. In 2008, Israel took steps to ban Tharisanam.<ref name="priu">{{cite news|title=LTTE international Propaganda TV Station to suspend transmission|url=http://www.news.lk/home/6226-ltte-international-propaganda-tv-station-to-suspend-transmission|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130827010834/http://www.news.lk/home/6226-ltte-international-propaganda-tv-station-to-suspend-transmission|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-08-27|date=June 2008|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref> Makkal TV was aired with the help of the pro-LTTE political party [[Pattali Makkal Katchi]] (PMK) in [[Chennai]]. France ceased the broadcasting of Tamil Television Network (TTN) in May 2007.<ref name="asiantrib">{{cite news |title=Breaking News: The LTTE TV Tharishanam goes off the air from today onwards |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/node/11890|work=[[Asian Tribune]]|date=June 2008|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref> Euro TV also was banned by Italy in May 2008.<ref name="ital">{{cite news |title=LTTE TV Channel Banned in Italy|url=http://www.tops.lk/article314-ltte-tv-channel-banned-in-italy.html|work=Tops.lk|date=May 2008|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref>

===International Radio===
LTTE launched the London-based International Broadcasting Corporation, IBC Tamil radio station in 1997. IBC had urged Tamils in the United Kingdom to support pro-LTTE fundraising events organized by White Pigeon and other LTTE front associations.<ref name="trib">{{cite news |title=London IBC Radio - LTTE Propaganda mouthpiece continuously spews rabid anti Sri Lanka campaign |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/node/10621|work=[[Asian Tribune]]|date=April 2008|access-date=31 July 2011}}</ref>

===Publications===
There has been a wide array of pro-LTTE publications, both digital and print, controlled by the LTTE global network. Most notable websites include [[TamilNet]], Paris-based [http://www.sankathi.com Sankathi] and Germany based [http://www.pathivu.com Pathivu]. Paris, London, Canada and Australia based [http://www.eelamurazu.com Eelamurazu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814074719/http://www.eelamurazu.com/ |date=2011-08-14 }} is one of its many printed media.<ref name="dbsj"/>

==See also==
*[[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.pulikalinkural.com/ Voice of Tigers website]

{{Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam}}

[[Category:Military of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]
[[Category:Indian Peace Keeping Force]]
[[Category:Research & Analysis Wing]]