Key statistics

1984
First Recorded Activity

First Attack

Profile Last Updated

How to Cite

Crenshaw, M., & Robinson, K. (2025). Mapping Militants Project. Rice University. https://doi.org/10.25613/G0K4-WF70
Mapping Militants Project. “Eelam National Liberation Front.” Last modified . https://mappingmilitants.org/node/368/

Profile Contents

Narrative

Narrative of the Organization's History

Organization

Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations

Strategy

Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics

Interactions

Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences

Maps

Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time in regional maps

Main Tabs Group

Overview
Formed: 
January 1, 1984
Disbanded: 
January 1, 1986

The Eelam National Liberation Front (ENLF) was an umbrella organization formed in April 1984 by EROS, TELO, and EPRLF. It is rumored that RAW, the external unit of the Indian intelligence services, sponsored the formation of the group. The ENLF did not constitute a formal merger of the groups but rather a "united forum" for the different militant groups to confront challenges and negotiate. In 1985, the LTTE joined the ENLF before their participation in the Thimpu peace talks with the Sri Lankan government. The talks, however, were short-lived and by September 1985, the Sri Lankan government resolved to end the Tamil conflict militarily. In 1986, the LTTE began eliminating other Tamil militant groups, leading to the disbanding of the ENLF. PLOTE was the only one of the "Big Five" groups of the 1980s not to be included in the ENLF merger.

Organization

Vertical Tabs

Strategy

Vertical Tabs

Interactions

Vertical Tabs