The Sri Lankan Conflict was a prolonged civil war that lasted from 1983 to 2009, primarily between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The conflict arose from ethnic tensions between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils, who sought greater autonomy and rights. The war resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, with thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire. The conflict officially ended in May 2009 when the Sri Lankan military defeated the LTTE, but the aftermath continues to affect the country's social and political landscape.