Assassinated Tamil lawyer remembered 25 years on

Assassinated human rights lawyer and former leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), Kumar Ponnambalam was commemorated in Jaffna this week, marking 25 years since his murder in Colombo.

Ponnambalam was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on January 5th, 2000, whilst in his car on Ramakrishna Lane, in Wellawette, Colombo. The murder came a few days after he had written an open letter to then president Chandrika Bandaranaike-Kumaratunga, condemning her anti-Tamil policies.

Commemorating his legacy were a range of Tamil politicians and civil society members.

His son, Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) MP and parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam lit a remembrance flame, as dozens lined up to garland a portrait of the murdered lawyer.

Among those present were Ilanka Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian S Shritharan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Jaffna Professor C Raguram and more.

He was renowned for his pro bono work in defending Tamil and Sinhala youths detained under Sri Lanka's notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act and had filed reports in important human rights cases that incriminated the Chandrika government, including the gang rape and murder of Tamil student, Krishanthi Kumaraswamy and mass graves in Chemmani. 

Ponnambalam was posthumously conferred the title 'Maamanithar' by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and called him "a revolutionary political leader who fought for human justice with sincere determination and commitment." 

Following his death, the LTTE released a statement: 

"Faced with constant threat to his life and property, Mr. Ponnambalam lived in the heart of the Sri Lankan capital and boldly challenged his racist adversaries. His speeches and writings, which touched on extremely controversial issues, expressed its truthfullness, genuiness, uprightness and indomitable spirit for justice."

"He pleaded for the rights and liberties of thousands of innocent Tamils in Colombo who were subjected to constant persecution at the hands of the tyrannical Sinhala state. He also voiced for the Tamils rights at international forums," the statement added. 

Other commemorations were also held across Tamil Eelam.

In Vavuniya, Tamil families of the disappeared held a remembrance ceremony at their protest site, where they have continuously demonstrated for years.

Another event was held in Batticaloa, organised by the TNPF.