S. J. V. Chelvanayakam

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S. J. V. Chelvanayakam

S. J. V. Chelvanayakam (31 March 1898 – 26 April 1977) was a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politician, lawyer, and the founder of the Federal Party (Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi). He was a key figure in the political landscape of Sri Lanka and played a significant role in advocating for the rights of the Tamil minority in the country.

Early Life and Education

Chelvanayakam was born in Ipoh, British Malaya, to a Tamil family originally from Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He received his early education at St. John's College, Jaffna, and later attended Ceylon University College where he studied law. He completed his legal education at the Ceylon Law College and was called to the bar as an advocate.

Political Career

Chelvanayakam entered politics in the 1940s, initially joining the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC). However, due to ideological differences, he left the ACTC and founded the Federal Party in 1949. The party advocated for federalism as a means to ensure greater autonomy for the Tamil-speaking regions of Sri Lanka.

Federal Party and Tamil Rights

Under Chelvanayakam's leadership, the Federal Party became the principal political voice for the Tamil community. The party's primary objective was to secure a federal structure for Sri Lanka, which would grant significant autonomy to the Tamil-majority Northern and Eastern provinces. Chelvanayakam was a staunch advocate for non-violent methods of protest and civil disobedience.

Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact

One of the significant milestones in Chelvanayakam's political career was the signing of the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact in 1957 with then Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. The pact aimed to address some of the grievances of the Tamil community by devolving power to regional councils. However, the pact was later abrogated by Bandaranaike under pressure from Sinhalese nationalist elements.

Later Years and Legacy

Chelvanayakam continued to be an influential figure in Tamil politics until his death in 1977. He was often referred to as "Thanthai Chelva" (Father Chelva) by his supporters. His legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to the rights of the Tamil people and his advocacy for a peaceful resolution to ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka.

Personal Life

Chelvanayakam was married to Emily Grace Barr Kumarakulasinghe, and the couple had four children. He was known for his devout Christian faith and was an active member of the Church of South India.

See Also

• Federal Party (Sri Lanka)
• Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact
• Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism
• Sri Lankan Civil War