Tamil Eelam is a proposed independent state for the Tamil people in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The concept emerged during the Sri Lankan Civil War, which lasted from 1983 to 2009, as a response to ethnic tensions and demands for greater autonomy. The movement for Tamil Eelam was primarily led by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant organization that sought to establish a separate nation. Although the LTTE was defeated in 2009, the aspiration for Tamil Eelam continues to resonate among some Tamil communities, highlighting ongoing issues of ethnic identity and rights.