The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were a militant organisation in Sri Lanka, founded by Velupillai Prabhakaran, that sought an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the island. The group arose from the grievances of the Tamil minority over discrimination by governments dominated by the Sinhalese majority. Full civil war broke out in 1983 after anti-Tamil riots, and over the following decades the Tigers controlled large areas, ran a de facto administration, and used guerrilla tactics, suicide bombings and a small navy. Many countries listed them as a terrorist organisation. The Sri Lankan army defeated them in 2009, and both sides were accused of serious abuses against civilians in the final stages of the war.
Before and after
- 1976Establishment of Sagarmatha National Park
- 1976Founding of Abuja
- 1976Establishment of Nahanni National Park Reserve
- 1976Establishment of Banc d'Arguin National Park
- from 1976 to 2009Rise of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
- 1976Miguel de Cervantes Prize
- 5 January 1976Kingsmill massacre
- 12 January 1976Death of Agatha Christie
- 21 January 1976Concorde begins supersonic passenger service
More in Society, economy & sport
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.