Student Organization of Liberation Tigers (SOLT); mandate; recruitment; relationship with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) [LKA32459.E]

Information regarding the Student Organization of Liberation Tigers (SOLT) is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. The following information was received from a professor of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and author of International and Regional Security Implications of the Sri Lankan Tamil Insurgency.

1. What is SOLT's mandate?


SOLT is the student wing of the LTTE. Its mandate is to influence school children to join the LTTE. As you may be aware 60% of the LTTE strength is under 18.

2. When did SOLT come into existence and does it still exist today?


Yes, SOLT is fully operational. Its leader in 1996 was Idayan. He may still be the leader.

3. What methods does SOLT use to recruit new members?


Go to schools and recruit. They are very effective in propaganda. Sometimes they recruit forcibly.

4. What is the relationship between SOLT and the LTTE?


It is a part of the LTTE main organisation. The head of SOLT reports to the head of LTTE. All SOLT members take an oath to the head of the LTTE, V. Prabhakaran (5 Aug. 1999).

The Research Directorate was unable to corroborate this information within time constraints.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference


Professor of International Relations, University of St. Andrews, Scotland. 5 August 1999. Correspondence.

Additional Sources Consulted


Extremist Groups: An International Compilation of Terrorist Organizations, Violent Political Groups and Issue-Oriented Militant Movements. 1996.

Mondes rebelles. 1996.

Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World. 1991.

Youth Movements of the World. 1990.

Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases, WNC.