30/06/2024
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R. Sampanthan is a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politician who has played a significant role in the country's political landscape, especially in advocating for Tamil rights and issues. Here is a brief overview of his life and career:
R. Sampanthan was born on February 5, 1933, in Trincomalee, in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. He pursued his education at St. Patrick's College in Jaffna and St. Joseph's College in Colombo, two well-known schools in Sri Lanka. He later attended Ceylon Law College, where he qualified as a lawyer.
Sampanthan's political career began in the 1950s when he joined the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), also known as the Federal Party, which was founded by S.J.V. Chelvanayakam. The party aimed to address the grievances of the Tamil minority and sought federalism as a solution to ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka.
In the 1970s, Sampanthan became a member of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), a coalition of Tamil parties that sought greater autonomy for Tamil-majority areas. He was elected to Parliament in 1977 representing Trincomalee, marking the beginning of his long parliamentary career.
In the late 1990s, Sampanthan played a key role in the formation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a coalition of Tamil parties that sought to present a united front in advocating for Tamil rights. The TNA became a significant political force in the early 2000s, especially after the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009.
Sampanthan has served as the leader of the TNA, guiding the party through challenging times and advocating for a political solution to the ethnic conflict. Under his leadership, the TNA has sought greater devolution of power, accountability for war crimes, and reconciliation between different ethnic communities in Sri Lanka.
In 2015, R. Sampanthan made history by becoming the first Tamil politician in over three decades to be appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan Parliament. His appointment was seen as a significant step towards ethnic reconciliation in the country.
Throughout his career, Sampanthan has been a vocal advocate for Tamil rights, federalism, and peaceful coexistence. He has consistently called for justice, accountability, and meaningful political solutions to address the grievances of the Tamil people.
Even in his later years, Sampanthan has remained active in politics, continuing to push for the rights and aspirations of the Tamil community. His contributions to Sri Lankan politics, particularly in the context of ethnic relations and minority rights, have been widely recognized.
R. Sampanthan's career reflects a steadfast commitment to his community and a tireless pursuit of justice and equality within the framework of Sri Lanka's political system.