Vallipuram Vasanthan (1966-1987) was a Sri Lankan militant. He is best known for being a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant group in Sri Lanka. He was the first member of the LTTE to become a suicide bomber and was known as the “Black Tiger”.
Wiki/Biography
Captain Miller was born Vallipuram Vasanthan Christopher (age 21; at time of death) on Saturday, January 1, 1966, in Thunnalai, Sri Lanka. His zodiac sign is Capricorn. After completing his schooling, he continued his studies at Hartley College in Point Pedro, Sri Lanka.
appearance
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
Parents and siblings
His father is a bank manager and his mother’s name is Kamalathevi Vallipuram. He has two siblings.
Photo of Captain Miller’s mother
wife
Captain Miller is unmarried.
“Tensions in Sri Lanka”
Miller grew up at a time when tensions were high between Sri Lanka’s two groups, the Tamils and the Sinhalese. These tensions intensified after Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948. The government’s decision to make Sinhala the official language is seen as a challenge to Tamil speakers. In 1977, clashes broke out near Miller’s home after some vehicles in the Sinhalese-majority area had slogans like “Kill Tamils, Save Motherland” painted on them. This heightened tensions between Tamils and Sinhalese. Things took a tragic turn on July 23, 1983, when Tamil rebels attacked an army unit, killing 13 soldiers. The incident sparked violent reprisals that left hundreds dead, especially in the capital, Colombo. Many Tamils had to flee, and widespread fires left 10,000 people homeless.
Photos of the July 1983 Sri Lanka attacks
Another photo of the July 1983 Sri Lanka attacks
“The Heroic Sacrifice of the LTTE and Miller”
After the riots, Miller became disheartened and joined the Tamil Tigers in 1984. In Jaffna, he saw the horrific consequences of violence, which strengthened his resolve. Faced with the powerful Sri Lankan army, the LTTE decided to use guerrilla attacks. Miller and others volunteered to lead these raids, and the Tigers selected him for the mission. Some media sources revealed that the attack was similar to those in Lebanon, but LTTE official Tamil Selvam said this was not true. On the evening of July 5, 1987, the Sri Lankan armed forces participating in the “Operation Liberation” were stationed at a temporary camp at Neliadi Central College. Their goal was to retake the Wadamaraj area of Jaffna from the LTTE. The Tiger guerrillas were attacked by the Sri Lankan armed forces using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. At the same time, the black tiger “Captain Miller” drove a truck filled with explosives into the building, causing a big explosion. He was killed, along with 18 soldiers killed and 22 wounded.
Rare photos of Captain Miller
“Miller’s Legacy Story”
After his death, Miller was promoted to the higher rank of captain. He became a revered figure within the LTTE and his face was plastered on the Black Tiger emblem, the LTTE death squad. July 5 becomes “Black Tiger Day”, a day on which Tamils all over the world commemorate all the Black Tiger martyrs. Nelliady Madhya Maha Vidyalayam built a temple housing a golden statue of Miller.
Statue of Captain Miller at Neliadi, Jaffna
On July 5, 1987, Captain Miller was killed in a fire explosion in Neliadi, Sri Lanka.
Facts/Trivia
- According to his mother, when Miller visited her in 1984 a week before the attack, he didn’t tell her about his plans and she thought he might be saying goodbye.
- Miller’s thoughts on the night of the attack are unknown, but the impact of the attack on the Neliardi military base has lingered in people’s minds for nearly two decades. Although Miller has since passed away, a video captured the incident.
Rare photos of Captain Miller
- Captain Miller’s mother once said in an interview with the media that as Miller’s mother, she received a lot of respect wherever she went. She said,
Whenever I go anywhere, in any country, people say Miller’s mother is here. I feel a sense of pride. As Miller’s mother, I feel the respect I deserve. “
Captain Miller’s mother reveals photo of him at ceremony
- In January 2024, a movie called “Captain Miller” was released. The film is based on the life of Captain Miller and stars Dhanush, Sandeep Kishan, Kali Venkat and Priyanka Mohan.
Poster of the movie Captain Miller (2024)
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education