Internet and its role in the creation of trans-national identities by the LTTE.

Abstract

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka have displayed novel military tactics and communication strategies. These strategies have often set a precedent for many other terrorist and militant groups. The adaptation of Information Communication Technologies by the LTTE is remarkable in terms of innovation and persuasion of the publics and the Tamil diaspora in particular. The availability of the numerous websites on the internet speaks volumes of the group's effort to communicate, persuade and create/maintain networks. The central theme of the study is their use of the internet in creating trans-national identities. The study aims to provide some insight into the political, social and/or cultural identity they are trying to forge through the external linkages within their websites. The official and unofficial websites exhibit common linkages to charitable, humanitarian, educational, social and economic organizations to name a few. A qualitative and a quantitative approach to the study reveal the various identities the group forms through the use of the internet. The identity formed is one that is global transcending barriers of time and territory.