Commemorations were held across the North today to mark the 128th birth anniversary of S. J. V. Chelvanayakam, widely revered as “Thanthai Selva”, the father of the Tamil nation, with events taking place in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna.
Organised by branches of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the commemorations brought together parliamentarians, party officials and local representatives, who paid tribute by placing floral garlands at memorial statues and delivering speeches reflecting on his life and legacy.
Born on March 31, 1898, Chelvanayakam is regarded as a central figure in the Tamil political struggle, having championed federalism, non-violent resistance, and the rights of Ceylon Tamils during a formative period in the island’s post-independence history.
In 1976, Chelvanayakam presided over the passing of the Vaddukoddai Resolution which called for the "restoration and reconstitution of the free, sovereign, secular, socialist state of Tamil Eelam".
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