Thanthai Chelva remembered in Jaffna

by Ephraim
Apr 27, 2023

The 46th death anniversary of S. J. V. Chelvanayagam, also known as Thanthai Chelva, was commemorated in Jaffna Town and in Thellipalai. The commemoration was organised by the Thanthai Chelva Memorial Trust. Thanthai Chelva, who is widely regarded as the father of Tamil Nationalism, was remembered for his immense contribution to the Tamil struggle for self-determination in Sri Lanka.

Chelvanayagam, who was elected to parliament in 1947 and represented Kankesanthurai until his death in 1977, was a founding member of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) political party. He strongly advocated for federalism as a solution to the National Question in Sri Lanka and attempted to negotiate with multiple governments for the rights of the Tamil people. He was instrumental in drafting the Banda-Chelva Pact and the Dudley-Chelva Pact, both of which failed due to the government's refusal to keep its promises.

Despite these setbacks, Thanthai Chelva remained committed to the Tamil nationalist struggle and continued to fight for the Tamil people's rights. His efforts culminated in the historic Vaddukoddai Resolution in 1977, which called for the “restoration and reconstitution of the free, sovereign, secular, socialist state of Tamil Eelam.”

The commemoration event in Thellipalai saw the unveiling of a new monument designed by Thava Thajendran, an artist based in Jaffna, to honour Thanthai Chelva's legacy. The event was organised by the Thanthai Chelva Memorial Trust, which aims to keep his legacy alive and inspire future generations to fight for Tamil rights.

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