News
From fiery orator to steadfast politician: Remembering Mavai Senathirajah
View(s):By S.Rubatheesan
Tributes have flown from across party lines in the country this week, following the passing of octogenarian and senior Tamil leader Mavai Senathirajah. He was 83 years old.
Born Somasuntharam Senathirajah (1942.10.27) in Maviddapuram, Jaffna, he was later known as Mavai Senathirajah throughout his political career spanning over five decades.
He took part in the non-violent struggleled by S.J.V. Selvanayakamlankai, the founder leader of he Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK), also known as the Federal Party, against the then government’s policies that challenged the political and social rights of Tamil-speaking people.
Mavai Senathirajah: The last rites to be held today in Jaffna
As a star orator from the youth wing of the ITAK in the 1960s, thousands gathered to listen to his fiery speeches against the university standardisation scheme and new constitution-making efforts by the then government led by Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
He was jailed for three years for his political work by the government and released in 1975. When he had arrived in Jaffna on the Yarl Devi train from Colombo after being released from jail, a massive welcome ceremony had been organised by the people.
It was ITAK’s founding leader, Mr. Selvanayakam, who welcomed the youth leader with flower garlands.
From youth wing leader (1962-1969) to general secretary (2004-2014) and later as leader (2014-2024) of the grand old Tamil political party, Senathirajah worked relentlessly for the rights of the Tamil people.
Having played a key role in the formation of the electoral alliance of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in 2001 with ITAK as the main constituent party, he served the party and represented the people who elected him from 1989 till 2020.
He was instrumental in ensuring the release of civilian-owned lands in the former High Security Zone (HSZ) in Palaly during the Yahapalanaya government and the resettlement process that followed in 2015.
ITAK General Secretary P. Sathiyalingam remembers Mr. Senathirajah as a political cadre who dedicated his lifetime to the well-being of Tamil-speaking people.
“From the time he took part in non-violent struggles launched by Mr. Selvanayakam at the age of 19, he relentlessly worked for the Tamil cause till his last breath. It is a great loss not only for the party but for Tamil politics as well,” the party general secretary’s condolence message read.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his last respects to the late Tamil leader at his residence in Maviddapuram, Thellipalai, on Friday.
Issuing a condolence message, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya noted that the late Tamil leader’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rights of the Tamil community has left an enduring legacy in Sri Lanka’s political history.
“As a leader of ITAK and a key figure in the TNA, Senathirajah played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights and aspirations of his people while striving for unity and reconciliation. His decades-long service in Parliament reflected his dedication to the democratic process and his deep-rooted belief in peaceful political engagement,” the condolence message read.
Following a fall at his home last week, the Tamil leader was admitted to Jaffna Teaching hospital and passed away on Wednesday. Funeral rites will be held at 10 a.m. today (2) at his residence.
| Challenging times for ITAK with the loss of two main pillars The demise of senior ITAK leader Mavai Senathirajah that followed the passing away of another impeccable ITAK leader R. Sampanthan last year, has created a vacuum in Tamil politics as the party is facing an internal crisis with intra factions and legal challenges, according to a senior ITAK leader. “Mavai was among the few moderate Tamil leaders who were willing to accommodate opposing views and worked for the unity of the party despite several challenges. Due to his gentleness, some parties have taken advantage of it but he had seen all through in the final leg of his political career,” says the acting leader of the party C. V. K. Sivagnanam. Mr. Sivagnanam recalled that the late Mavai was among the few surviving Tamil leaders who had the personal touch at grassroot level from Polikandy (North) to Pothuvil (East) as he had been a longtime political activist throughout. “This is a critical time for the party as we have lost two main pillars within a short period of time. Both leaders were aware the challenges the party was facing and tried their best to take it forward,” Mr. Sivagnanm said. | |
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!