Velupillai Prabhakaran (November 26; 1954 - May 18; 2009) was the founder and leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the LTTE or the Tamil Tigers); a militant organization that sought to create an independent Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka. For over 25 years; the LTTE waged a violent secessionist campaign in Sri Lanka that led to it being designated a terrorist organization by 32 countries.

Prabhakaran was wanted by Interpol for terrorism; murder; organized crime and terrorism conspiracy. He also had arrest warrants against him in Sri Lanka and India. By 2001; the Tamil Tigers controlled large swaths of land in the north and east of the country; running a mini-state with Prabhakaran ruling as its unquestioned leader. Peace talks eventually broke down; and the Sri Lanka Army launched a military campaign to defeat the Tamil Tigers in 2006. Prabhakaran was killed in fighting with the Army on May 18; 2009. His death brought an immediate end to the Civil War.