Jaffna’s new independent MP pays tribute to ‘leader and heroes’ as he takes up his seat

^{Translation: 'I'm in this parliament on the alms given by the Leader and Maaveerar'}

Newly elected Jaffna lawmaker Dr. Archchuna Ramanathan paid tribute to fallen LTTE cadres as he took up his seat in Sri Lanka’s parliament today – causing a stir on his first day.

The former Director of the Chavakachcheri Hospital posted on his popular social media account a tribute to the ‘leader and heroes’ ahead of parliament’s inauguration this morning, a reference widely used for LTTE leader V Prabhakaran.

Previously the MP dedicated his electoral victory to those who had been martyred in the Tamil independence struggle and has frequently espoused nationalist positions.

^{Translation: 'Saying 'independent group', 'independent group', they have finally made me stand in a separate line even in the canteen. Not in government, not in the opposition, the path for Tamils is the path of our leader'.}

The lawmaker went on to cause a stir by sitting in a seat that is traditionally designated for the leader of the opposition in the house. As a staffer asked the new MP to move, he refused, stating that he came to parliament in order to “change traditional politics” on the island.

He also referred to regulations that said seating is not formally allocated on the first day. “There are lots of seats in the hall, ask him to sit somewhere else,” Ramanathan told the staffer in Sinhala.

He went on to say that he was selected to parliament through an independent group which is not a "marked tradition and I hope his excellency Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be more than happy to change the traditional politics."

Ramanathan’s father was a Tamil Eelam Police Chief in Kilinochchi. During the Mullivaikkal genocide of 2009, his father was reportedly evacuated by an ICRC ship, but was subsequently abducted and forcibly disappeared by the Sri Lankan military. His wherabouts remain unknown.

He rose to fame after speaking out against irregularities and corruption that he claimed had been taking place at Chavakachcheri Base Hospital, including how doctors at the hospital were not working full-time and were allegedly neglecting patients in favour of running private practices. Since then, Ramanathan has regularly posted on social media and drawn a following. However, his posts have been controversial and he stands accused of misogyny.