Eelam National Liberation Front


The Eelam National Liberation Front was a short-lived umbrella organisation organizing Tamil militant groups.

History

In April 1984 M. Karunanidhi invited the leaders of the five leading Tamil militant groups, Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front, Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization, for talks aimed at uniting the groups. K. Pathmanabha, V. Balakumaran and Sri Sabaratnam accepted the invitation but Velupillai Prabhakaran and Uma Maheswaran did not.
Shortly afterward EPRLF, EROS and TELO formed the Eelam National Liberation Front. Its inaugural meeting was held at the EPRLF's office in Madras and Ramesh of the EPRLF was elected the secretary. After the meeting Pathmanabha, Balakumaran and Sri Sabaratnam issued a statement announcing the formation of the ENLF:
Although ENLF members would work together to achieve their common aim they would each maintain their own distinct identity. Other major liberation groups i.e., LTTE and PLOTE, were invited to join.

LTTE

In early 1985 Prabhakaran decided to join. On 10 April 1985 senior members of the ENLF and LTTE met at the Hotel Presidency, Chennai|Madras. Those attending the meeting were: LTTE — Prabhakaran, Rajanayagam and Anton Balasingham; EPRLF — Pathmanabha, Kulasegaran and Ramesh; EROS — Balakumaran and Muhilan; TELO — Sri Sabaratnam and Mathi. After the meeting a statement was issued:
ENLF members agreed to make joint political decisions and to coordinate military actions.

Dissolution

In February 1986, the LTTE pulled out. By April 1986, ENLF had become defunct.

Objectives

Initial

The ENLF members agreed to coordinate armed activities against the Sri Lanka Armed Forces; unify propaganda conducted in foreign countries; and create a unified body to administer the funds collected from individuals and institutions.

Ultimate