A pioneering Sri Lankan Tamil newspaper publisher and politician who championed Tamil rights and freedoms through his influential writings and leadership. He played a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape.
S. Sivamaharajah, a renowned Sri Lankan Tamil newspaper publisher, politician, and Member of Parliament, is best known for his unwavering commitment to Tamil nationalism and his relentless pursuit of self-determination for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
Born on June 28, 1938, in Kollankaladdy, near Tellippalai, Sivamaharajah grew up in a region that would later become the epicenter of the Sri Lankan civil war. His early life and experiences would shape his political ideology and fuel his passion for Tamil nationalism.
Sivamaharajah's entry into politics was marked by controversy and defiance. In 1989, he contested the parliamentary election as an Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS) candidate in Jaffna District and was elected. However, he and other EROS MPs boycotted Parliament due to their opposition to the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, which required them to swear an oath unconditionally renouncing support for a separate state. This bold move forfeited his seat in Parliament, but it cemented his reputation as a champion of Tamil rights.
Undeterred, Sivamaharajah re-entered Parliament in 1989, replacing S. Sivnantharaja who had resigned. He took his oath in Parliament on July 21, 1989, but resigned again on May 7, 1990. This pattern of defiance and resilience would define his political career.
In 2000, Sivamaharajah contested the parliamentary election as a Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) candidate in Jaffna District and was re-elected. He played a crucial role in the formation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in 2001, which brought together various Tamil political parties under one umbrella.
Sivamaharajah was also the managing director of Namathu Eelanadu, a Tamil language newspaper that started publication in 2002. The paper was seen as a vocal advocate for Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism and a powerful platform for Sivamaharajah's ideas and opinions.
S. Sivamaharajah's life and career serve as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Tamil people and their struggle for self-determination. His brave defiance in the face of adversity, his leadership in the Tamil National Alliance, and his role as a vocal advocate for Tamil rights have left an indelible mark on the history of Sri Lanka.
75 Years Old
A Sri Lankan educator and politician who served as the Principal of Jaffna College and later as a member of the Senate of Ceylon, advocating for Tamil rights and education. He played a significant role in shaping the country's education system and promoting social reform.
Born in 1899
A lawyer-turned-politician who championed Sinhalese nationalism and led Sri Lanka towards self-sufficiency, introducing sweeping reforms in education, agriculture, and industry. He's remembered for his bold, if sometimes divisive, leadership.
