Vallipuram Vasanthan (1966-1987) was a Sri Lankan militant. He is known for being a member of a group called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was a militant organization in Sri Lanka. He was the first person in the LTTE to become a suicide attacker, known as a ‘Black Tiger.’
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Captain Miller was born as Vallipuram Vasanthan Christopher on Saturday, 1 January 1966 (age 21 years; at the time of death) in Thunnalai, Sri Lanka. His zodiac sign is Capricorn. After completing his school education, he went to Hartley College in Point Pedro, Sri Lanka, to pursue his higher studies. [1]Hartley College
Physical Appearance
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father was a bank manager, and his mother’s name is Kamalathevi Vallipuram. He has two siblings.
A picture of Captain Miller’s mother
Wife
Captain Miller was unmarried.
‘Tensions in Sri Lanka’
Miller grew up in a time when there was a lot of tension between two groups in Sri Lanka – the Tamils and the Sinhalese. This tension increased after Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948. The government’s decision to make Sinhalese the official language was seen as a challenge to Tamil speakers. In 1977, there were conflicts near Miller’s home because some vehicles in Sinhalese-majority areas had the slogan “Kill the Tamils and save the Motherland” painted on them. This increased the tensions between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. On 23 July 1983, the circumstances took a tragic turn, when Tamil rebels attacked an army team, killing 13 soldiers. This event sparked violent retaliation, resulting in hundreds of deaths, especially in the capital city, Colombo. Many Tamils had to flee, and widespread fires left over ten thousand people homeless.
A picture of the July 1983 attacks in Sri Lanka
Another picture of the July 1983 attacks in Sri Lanka
‘LTTE & Miller’s Heroic Sacrifice’
After the riots, Miller felt upset and joined the Tamil Tigers in 1984. In Jaffna, he saw the terrible effects of violence, and it made him even more determined. The Tigers, dealing with a strong Sri Lankan military, decided to use guerrilla-style attacks. Miller and others volunteered to lead these attacks, and the Tigers chose him for the mission. Some media news revealed that the attack was like the ones in Lebanon, but a Tiger official, Tamilselvan, said it was not true. On the night of 5 July 1987, Sri Lankan Armed Forces involved in “Operation Liberation” were staying at a temporary camp in Nelliady Central College, as they were aiming to recapture Jaffna’s Vadamaratchi sector from LTTE. Tiger guerrillas were attacked by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces while using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. Meanwhile, Black Tiger “Captain Miller” drove a truck full of explosives into the building, causing a big explosion. He died, and 18 soldiers were killed, with 22 wounded.
A rare picture of Captain Miller
‘Miller’s Legacy Story’
After he passed away, Miller was given the higher rank of captain. He became a respected figure in the LTTE, and his face was put on the Black Tigers’ symbol, which was the LTTE’s suicide squad. The 5th of July became “Black Tigers Day,” a day for Tamils worldwide to remember all the Black Tiger martyrs. A shrine with a golden statue of Miller was built at Nelliady Madhya Maha Vidyalayam.
Statue of Captain Miller in Nelliyadi, Jaffna
In 1996, after the Sri Lankan military took control of the Vadamarachchi region, they destroyed Miller’s shrine, but locals saved and hid his statue. In 2002, during the Cease Fire Agreement mediated by Norway, the statue and a new memorial plaque were re-established. Every year, the LTTE observes “Black Tiger Week” for a whole week to remember “Captain Millar’s” death and honour other Black Tiger cadres who died in action.
A Sri Lankan soldier praying in front of Captain Miller’s picture
On the anniversary of Miller’s attack, known as “Black Tiger Day” in Tamil areas, people gather in Nelliady and other places to pay tribute to suicide bombers. In Nelliady’s memorial garden, there is a portrayal of Miller ready for action, wearing a beret, with a holstered gun, and combat boots. In 2006, armed men, believed to be Sri Lankan soldiers, destroyed his statue.
The damaged statue of Captain Miller in 2006
On 4 July 2010, the Sri Lankan military destroyed other memorial stones, including the graves of all LTTE members.
A picture of Captain Miller’s death memorial in Vadamaradchi
Death
On 5 July 1987, Captain Miller died in a fire explosion in Nelliady, Sri Lanka. [2]Zee News
Facts/Trivia
- According to his mother, in 1984, Miller did not tell his plans to her when he visited her a week before the attack, and she felt like he might be saying goodbye.
- Miller’s thoughts on the night of the attack were unknown, but the impact of the attack on the military base in Nelliady stayed in people’s minds for almost two decades. A video captured the incident, even though Miller had already passed away.
A rare picture of Captain Miller
- Captain Miller’s mother once shared in a media interview that she gained a lot of respect as Miller’s mother wherever she went. She said,
Whenever I go anywhere, to any country, people will say Miller’s mother is coming. And I get a proud feeling. I get a feeling of due respect as Miller’s mother.”
Captain Miller’s mother while unveiling his picture at a ceremony
- In January 2024, a film titled “Captain Miller” was released. The film was based on Captain Miller’s life and starred Dhanush, Sundeep Kishan, Kaali Venkat, and Priyanka Mohan as the main characters.
The poster of the film Captain Miller (2024)
References
| ↑1 | Hartley College |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Zee News |
