Charles Anthony Prabhakaran (; c. 1985 – 18 May 2009) was the eldest son of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the founder and leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He was named after Charles Lucas Anthony (nom de guerre Seelan), an early LTTE commander and close associate of his father who was killed in 1983.
Early life Charles Anthony Prabhakaran was born around 1985. Contemporary reports stated that he was 24 years old at the time of his death in May 2009. One report claimed he was born on 18 April 1985 in Tamil Nadu, India.
He was the eldest of three children of Velupillai Prabhakaran and Mathivathani Erambu. His siblings were a sister, Duvaraga, and a younger brother, Balachandran.
Role in the LTTE According to reports, Charles Anthony studied aeronautical engineering in Ireland and returned to Sri Lanka around 2006. He was described as being involved with the LTTE’s air wing (known as the Air Tigers) and its technical and computer units.
In early 2009, surrendered LTTE cadres stated that he was commanding a contingent of fighters alongside other senior leaders during the final stages of the war in the north.
He was also reported to have played a role in the development and use of light aircraft employed by the LTTE in aerial attacks, including the March 2007 raid on the Katunayake air base.
Death On 18 May 2009, during the final phase of the Sri Lankan military’s northern offensive, Sri Lankan Army sources reported that Charles Anthony was killed while attempting to break through army defences near the Nanthikadal Lagoon in the Mullaitivu area. He died along with a large number of other LTTE cadres.
His body was recovered by the Sri Lankan military. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed a match with samples from his father, Velupillai Prabhakaran.
See also Velupillai Prabhakaran Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Sri Lankan Civil War Charles Lucas Anthony Charles Anthony Brigade
References
ta:சார்ல்ஸ் அன்ரனி