Sri Lanka’s military has claimed that LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran died on May 16, 2009, during the final stages of the country’s civil war. However, doubts persist about the veracity of the account provided by the Sri Lankan army, with journalists and analysts questioning the logistics and evidence presented.

Unanswered Questions About the Circumstances of Death

According to reports, Prabhakaran was killed while fleeing the war zone in an ambulance, but skeptics argue that this scenario is implausible. The area where Prabhakaran was reportedly surrounded was described as less than one square kilometer, making it difficult to believe that an ambulance could escape undetected.

Further doubts were raised after the release of a photograph of Prabhakaran’s corpse. The image showed his head blown off, but his face and eyes were clearly visible. This has led some to question whether the photograph was staged, as it appeared too staged and carefully composed to be authentic.

“The picture looked fake. The top of the head was blown off, but the face was clear and the eyes wide open. Prabhakaran’s most distinguishing feature are his eyes, which seemed artificially wide, as if someone was trying to prove it was indeed him by grabbing attention to his eyes,” said Anita Pratap, a journalist who has written extensively on the issue.

Forensic and Logistical Concerns

According to the initial report, Prabhakaran’s ambulance was shelled and destroyed. However, this scenario raises forensic questions. If the ambulance was hit with artillery shells or rocket-propelled grenades, it would have exploded, leaving only charred remains. The discovery of Prabhakaran’s dog tags and identity cards further fueled speculation that the death was staged.

“If you pummel an ambulance with artillery shells or rocket-propelled grenades, it will explode. So, if Prabhakaran were inside, his body would have been blown to bits. At the very least, charred,” Pratap noted.

Additionally, the identification of Prabhakaran’s body by LTTE defectors Karuna and Daya Master has been questioned. Their credibility is seen as weak, similar to confessions obtained under police custody.

Psychological and Political Motivations

Pratap also speculated on Prabhakaran’s psychological state. She suggested that Prabhakaran would not allow his body to be found, fearing desecration by victorious Sinhalese soldiers. Historical examples of such desecration were cited, including the fate of Afghan leader Najibullah.

“Prabhakaran is an extraordinarily proud man, one who believes he is fighting to restore the honour and glory of the Tamils. There is simply no way he will allow himself to be desecrated and bring eternal shame and dishonour to his people,” Pratap said.

Pratap also noted that Prabhakaran’s admiration for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose might have influenced his decision to ensure his body was never found, allowing conspiracy theories to persist and keeping his legacy alive.

“If Prabhakaran’s body is never found, no one can be sure whether he is really dead or alive and the conspiracy theories will spin forever — keeping him alive in people’s imagination,” she added.

Pratap also connected the timing of Prabhakaran’s death to the Indian election results. She suggested that the victory of the Congress party in India, which she believed would maintain a hostile stance towards the LTTE, may have influenced Prabhakaran’s decision to commit suicide.

“The Indian election results came out and contrary to media punditry, the Congress made a resounding comeback. That spelt doom for Prabhakaran: his implacable foes will remain in power for another five years,” she said.

With the international community’s lack of support and the continued isolation of the LTTE, Pratap believes Prabhakaran saw no viable path forward and decided to fight unto death.

“Surviving another five years of this isolation with a hostile Congress establishment at the helm in India and an impotent international community is very hard. Getting Eelam in the near future in such hostile international circumstances is impossible,” she added.

Legacy and Impact

The uncertainty surrounding Prabhakaran’s death has had lasting implications for Sri Lanka’s political landscape and the Tamil diaspora. The LTTE’s continued presence in the imagination of many Tamils has kept the conflict alive in the public consciousness.

“Several members of the Tamil diaspora said they began getting calls from their LTTE contacts in Vanni, tearfully bidding farewell. That most of the top rung of the LTTE’s military wing are dead, points to mass suicide,” Pratap noted.

As Sri Lanka moves forward, the truth about Prabhakaran’s death remains a point of contention. The lack of independent verification and the questionable nature of the evidence presented by the Sri Lankan military continue to fuel skepticism and debate among journalists, analysts, and the public.