The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) marked its 75th anniversary today with a ceremony at the statue of its founder, SJV Chelvanayagam, in Jaffna.
This year's commemoration brought together ITAK members who gathered at the statue, where floral tributes were laid, and speeches were delivered reflecting on the party's history.
Known as "Thanthai Chelva" and revered as the father of Tamil Nationalism, Chelvanayagam established the ITAK on December 18, 1949. Founded in the aftermath of Sri Lanka's independence, ITAK was conceived as a political movement to champion federalism as a solution to the grievances of the Tamil nation. Over the years, the party played a pivotal role in negotiating landmark agreements such as the Banda-Chelva Pact and the Dudley-Chelva Pact, though these efforts were stymied by government inaction and broken promises.
Despite these setbacks, Thanthai Chelva remained steadfast in his commitment to the Tamil nationalist cause, advocating for the rights and dignity of the Tamil people. His efforts culminated in the historic Vaddukoddai Resolution of 1977, which called for the "restoration and reconstitution of the free, sovereign, secular, socialist state of Tamil Eelam."