Tab Article

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Nonfiction, History, Military History, Political Science, Terrorism Studies, Sri Lankan Studies

Book Review:
''The Rise and Fall of the LTTE'' by Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya, the former Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka, stands as a monumental and definitive study of one of the world's most formidable insurgent groups. Written by a top security practitioner who played a key role in the conflict, this book offers an unparalleled insider's perspective on the three-decade-long war. Dr. Balasuriya meticulously traces the origins, ideological evolution, complex organizational structure, and brutal tactics of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). More than just a military history, it provides critical analysis of failed peace negotiations, intelligence operations, and the strategic shifts that led to the group's ultimate defeat in May 2009. Endorsed by leading international terrorism experts like Professor Rohan Gunaratna, this work is praised for its original research and new material on how insurgent organizations function. It is an essential resource for scholars of conflict resolution, military strategists, historians, and anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Sri Lanka's civil war from the viewpoint of its highest-ranking police officer on the front lines. A landmark publication in the field of terrorism and counter-insurgency studies.