Spy Tiger: The 05 File

[Tuan]

Spy Tiger: The 05 File – A Harrowing Tale of War, Espionage, and Redemption



"Spy Tiger: The 05 File" is an extraordinary memoir that delves deep into the life of Kagusthan
Ariaratnam, a man whose fate was sealed when he was abducted at seventeen by the Tamil
Tigers (LTTE) during the height of the Sri Lankan Civil War. Trained as a child soldier and rising
through the ranks to become a key intelligence officer, Kagusthan’s journey offers an unfiltered
glimpse into the life of a young man caught in the grips of a brutal conflict. This book is not just a
recount of war but a powerful narrative of survival, courage, and the quest for redemption.

In his gripping true story, Kagusthan shares his experiences within one of the world’s most
feared insurgent groups. The book provides a vivid account of the Tamil Tigers’ operations,
strategies, and the dark reality faced by child soldiers during the war in Sri Lanka. As Kagusthan
gathered vital intelligence for the LTTE, he was forced to confront the morality of his actions and
the true cost of their violent tactics. This conflict within himself set him on a path of inner turmoil,
leading to a dangerous defection to Sri Lankan military intelligence.

The memoir navigates through themes of war, moral dilemmas, and espionage, painting a
detailed picture of the dangerous double life that Kagusthan led as a spy. His defection was a
gamble that could have ended in death, yet it proved to be a pivotal move in altering the course
of the Sri Lankan conflict. His firsthand account of the Tamil Tigers and his role in their eventual
downfall makes "Spy Tiger: The 05 File" an essential read for those interested in war memoirs,
Sri Lankan history and espionage.

Living in Canada today, Kagusthan’s story resonates deeply with the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora
residing in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This memoir also
serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the strength of the human spirit to
seek redemption amidst chaos. It’s not just a tale of a soldier; it’s the journey of a man who
dared to defy his fate.

Ariaratnam’s memoir is available for purchase on Amazon.

Keywords: Child soldier memoir, Tamil Tigers (LTTE), Sri Lankan civil war, spy memoirs, war
and morality, Tamil conflict, Sri Lankan history, double agent story, true story of defection, war
and espionage.

 

[Tuan]

Interview: A Former Tamil Tiger Child Soldier Charts His Path From Forced Recruitment to Healing

Interview: A Former Tamil Tiger Child Soldier Charts His Path From Forced Recruitment to Healing

Kagusthan Ariaratnam, a former child soldier turned defense analyst, speaks with JURIST about his new memoir Spy Tiger: The 05 File. The book, co-written with Michael Bramadat-Willcock, details Ariara...

www.jurist.org

Kagusthan Ariaratnam, a former child soldier turned defense analyst, speaks with JURIST about his new memoir Spy Tiger: The 05 File. The book, co-written with Michael Bramadat-Willcock, details Ariaratnam’s experiences during the Sri Lankan civil war (1983-2009). Forcibly recruited by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a youth, Ariaratnam later became an informant for both Indian and Sri Lankan governments. The conflict, which pitted the LTTE against the Sri Lankan government, resulted in an estimated 100,000 deaths. In this interview with JURIST Senior Editor for Long Form Content Pitasanna Shanmugathas, Ariaratnam discusses his role in the war, its lasting impacts, and the ethical challenges he faced. His account offers insight into one of South Asia’s most complex conflicts. Ariaratnam’s memoir is available for purchase on Amazon.

 

[Tuan]

Espionage & Survival: A Book Review Of ‘Spy Tiger: The 05 File’​

Espionage & Survival: A Book Review Of 'Spy Tiger: The 05 File' - Colombo Telegraph

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www.colombotelegraph.com

Spy Tiger: The 05 File, co-written by Kagusthan Ariaratnam and Michael Bramadat-Willcock, offers an intense and eye-opening narrative of Kagusthan’s journey, initially as a forcibly recruited child soldier and later as an informant for the Indian and Sri Lankan governments, throughout the Sri Lankan civil war, one of the most complex and brutal civil wars in recent history. The reader is plunged into the psychological and moral labyrinth of loyalty, betrayal, and survival through his first-person account.

The book begins with a gripping conversation between Kagusthan and David Poopalapillai, the spokesperson of the Canadian Tamil Congress, about a group of Tamil refugees who arrived on a ship seeking asylum in Canada. This dialogue introduces the complex and often devastating consequences of labeling and politicizing ethnic minorities as enemies of the state. Through this exchange, we begin to understand the intricacies of Tamil identity, the struggles faced by those fleeing Sri Lanka’s civil war, and the systemic obstacles they encounter in their quest for safety.