Velupillai Pirapakaran (வேலுப்பிள்ளை பிரபாகரன்; born November 26, 1954), most times referred to as Prabaharan or Thambi, is the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a rebel organization that seeks an independent Tamil nation in part of the territory of Sri Lanka.

He is currently wanted by Interpol for terrorism, murder, organized crime and terrorism conspiracy. Although during an interview he stated that the LTTE are not yet ready to give up the demand for an independent state, he has suggested that this may be a possibility once the "Tamil homeland, Tamil nationality and Tamil right to self-determination" are politically recognised and accepted.