Velupillai Prabhakaran

Velupillai Prabhakaran, also known as Thambi, was the leader of the Tamil Tigers, a separatist organization in Sri Lanka that has fought for a territory in the south Asian country for over two decades.

On May 18, 2009, the Sri Lankan military claimed that they had ended the 25-year-old Tamil uprising and killed several leaders including Prabhakaran, although they were holding off on an official announcement until the results of DNA tests would be released. On May 24, 2009, the Tamil Tiger's have confirmed the death of their leader, as he was killed in the fighting with Sri Lankan troops on May 17.Guardian: Profile: Velupillai Prabhakaran (May 18, 2009) Guardian: Sri Lanka declares end to war with Tamil Tigers (May 18, 2009)Al Jazeera English: Tamil Tigers confirm leader's death (May 24, 2009)

In rare public statements and interviews, Prabhakaran described his ideology as one seeking "revolutionary Socialism and an egalitarian society." He also argued that he has led his group to unconventional armed combat against the Sri Lankan government after observing the disparity in resources between his forces and those of Sri Lanka's military and that "non-violent resistance is ineffectual." Prabhakaran is currently wanted by Interpol on charges of terrorism, murder, organized crime, and conspiracy. Sri Lanka's Air Force claimed he was seriously wounded during an air raid in 2007.

As the supreme commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Prabhakaran presided over a mini-state in northern Sri Lanka, where the Tigers ran their own courts, police force and banks. But attempts at political settlement failed, and in early 2009, an all-out army offensive by the Sri Lankan government killed over 7,000 ethnic Tamils.Guardian: Profile: Velupillai Prabhakaran (May 18, 2009)

On May 18, 2009, the Sri Lankan claimed victory over the LTTE, and announced that several leaders of the movement were killed, including Prabhakaran himself.Guardian: Profile: Velupillai Prabhakaran (May 18, 2009) Guardian: Sri Lanka declares end to war with Tamil Tigers (May 18, 2009)