Veteran Tamil politician Mavai Senathirajah passes away

Former Parliamentarian and leader of the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK)  Mavai Senathirajah passed away at the Jaffna hospital today. He was 82 years at his death.

Mr Senathirajah was hospitalised few days back following a fall at his residence.

He was born on 27 October 1942 and was educated Veemanramam School and Nadeswara College. 

He joined the youth wing of the ITAK in 1962 and was appointed as the secretary of the Eela Thamil Elanger Eyakam (Eelam Tamil Youth Movement) from 1966 to 1969.

He became secretary of the Tamil Youth Front, the youth wing of the TULF in 1972.

Mr Senathirajah contested the Parliamentary elections in 1989,  but was not successful. However, was subsequently appointed from the National List in the same year to fill in the vacancy of the Appapillai Amirthalingam who was assassinated in July that year. He entered Parliament for the second time as a National List Member of Parliament from the TULF following the assassination of Neelan Tiruchelvam in 1999.

He also entered Parliament winning the elections in 2000, 2001, 2004, 2010 and 2015.

Senathirajah was general-secretary of ITAK before being elected leader of ITAK 6 September 2014.