Eelam War III

Eelam War III is the name given to the third phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Eelam War III
Part of the Sri Lankan Civil War
Date19 April 1995 – 22 February 2002
Location
Sri Lanka
Result Cease fire
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam tactical victory
Belligerents

 Sri Lanka

  • Military of Sri Lanka
 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Commanders and leaders
Chandrika Kumaratunga (1994–2005) Velupillai Prabhakaran
Strength
130,000 13,500
Casualties and losses
10,838 2,746

After the period of 100 days cease-fire the hostilities broke out on 19 April 1995. The LTTE - Sea Tigers planted explosives in two gun boats known as SLNS 'Sooraya' and 'Ranasuru', and blew them up.

Also, a new weapon "Stinger", a shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile was used in this conflict by the LTTE. This was used to take down two Sri Lankan Air Force AVRO aircraft flying over the Jaffna peninsula.

Eelam War III also marked the rising success of the LTTE, as they managed to capture key districts such as Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, and took over the Elephant Pass base. By the end of Eelam War III, the LTTE had control of nearly 30% of the entire island.

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