These days in "Tamil Eelam," as the Tigers call the homeland they claim, there are schools, tax collectors and sports associations.
So why go back to war?
"Until all of Tamil Eelam is liberated, we have only war," said Kumaran Sivapathasundram, a 26-year-old fighter, explaining that many predominantly Tamil areas are still government-controlled, including the capital of an ancient Tamil kingdom, the city of Jaffna.
At the base -- really just a few cement buildings inside a perimeter of bunkers disguised as thatch shacks, with swaying palms masking it all -- capturing territory was the major topic.
One fighter said more suicide bombings were needed -- and she'd already volunteered.
"I would like to be a Black Tiger," 26-year-old Priya Selvachandran said with a smile. "Because as a Black Tiger I can kill more soldiers."
Female suicide bombers are not uncommon. Last month, a woman disguised to look pregnant tried to kill Sri Lanka's top general, who was wounded in the blast that killed eight people.
Selvachandran scoffed at the suggestion that such bombings, along with the Tigers' murderous suppression of dissent, had alien-ated many Tamils.
"It our responsibility to protect all Tamils from oppression, and we are supported in our efforts," Selvachandran said. "They understand our methods."
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