When released into independence from Great Britain in 1948, the stunningly beautiful island of Ceylon, renamed Sri Lanka in 1972, was expected to become a sort of ‘South Asian Singapore.' However, stable political order and bright economic prospects proved insufficient to maintain peace. A host of unsolved ethnic conflicts and social inequalities conspired to erupt into an armed conflict in 1971.

When this broke out the entire Sri Lankan society was shocked to its core by a large-scale insurgency instigated by a Sinhalese Maoist group, JVP. Worse still, this was followed by the gradual buildup of several other Tamil groups in the north of the island.

Following riots known as ‘Black July' in 1983, Sri Lanka was ripped apart by a murderous war against Tamil insurgents, which caught the armed forces wrong-footed because of the government’s reluctance to buildup its military to necessary levels. This came to a temporary stop in 1987 with the implementation of a peace arrangement virtually enforced by the government of India and a deployment of a large peacekeeping force of the Indian military. By that time, the notorious LTTE emerged as the most powerful Tamil insurgent movement and the principal opponent of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

Eventually, the Indian military intervention proved to be only a temporary solution. The LTTE turned against the Indian military but suffered heavily in return. However, this provided some breathing space for the Sri Lankan military, which then launched a vicious and protracted counterinsurgency campaign against the JVP. The fighting thus went on.

Relying on extensive studies of the Sri Lankan War with the help of firsthand sources, official documentation and publications from all of involved parties, this volume provides an in-depth and particularly detailed account of military operations during the first 16 years of this war.

“The book is a good professional analysis...yields a fair and impartial account of the events of the period.”

“This book should provide readers with an understanding of the military operations in the first 16 years of this war...Highly Recommended.”

“The text is excellent in describing a wide range of tactical incidents. You get a real feel for the gradual loss of control by the Government forces.”

"Relying on extensive studies of the Sri Lankan War with the help of first-hand sources, official documentation and publications from all the involved parties, this volume provides a in-depth and particularly detailed account of military operations during the first 16 years of this war."

"Skirmish scenarios abound within the pages....Enjoyed it."

"This is undoubtedly the most thorough synopsis of the Sri Lankan War out there... For those interested in small armed forces, this is a great book to have."