Chennai: More than 14 years after the Sri Lankan government officially declared the death of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, a surprising assertion has been made by Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko. On Sunday, Vaiko claimed that the Tamil Tiger leader is still alive and even celebrated Prabhakaran's birthday by cutting a cake.

Vaiko boldly stated, "We believe that LTTE Velupillai Prabhakaran is still alive, and we have celebrated his birthday by cutting a cake. The person who has been with him [Prabakaran] like Pazha Nedumaran and Kasi Anandan will not lie." This assertion echoes similar claims made earlier in the year by Tamil nationalist Pazha Nedumaran, who insisted that Prabhakaran is alive, healthy, and planning a public appearance soon.

Kasi Anandan, another Tamil leader, has also supported the theory of Prabhakaran's continued existence, questioning why the Sri Lankan government has not released documents about his death if he is indeed killed. Prabhakaran, the founder and leader of the LTTE, led a militant organization in a 26-year-long civil war against the Sri Lankan government, aiming to establish an independent Tamil state known as Tamil Eelam. While he was considered a hero by some Tamils fighting for their freedom, the LTTE was designated as a terrorist outfit by several countries.

The Sri Lankan government officially declared Prabhakaran's death on May 18, 2009, during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War. However, the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain disputed. The Sri Lankan military claims he was killed in a firefight as he attempted to flee the conflict zone, with his identity confirmed through DNA testing. The recent claim by Vaiko has reignited discussions around Prabhakaran's fate, adding another layer of complexity to the already controversial legacy of the LTTE leader.

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