Politician cum lawyer Rajavarothiam Sampanthan passed away on June 30, at the age of 91, leaving a legacy as a leader and advocate for Tamil rights.
Born on February 5, 1933, Rajavarothiam Sampanthan was the son of A. Rajavarothiam, the Superintendent of Stores at the Gal Oya Project. He was closely related to Members of Parliament S. Sivapalan and N. R. Rajavarothiam. This lineage influenced his deep political roots. His education spanned several institutions, including St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna; St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala; St. Joseph’s College, Trincomalee and St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa. He qualified as an Attorney-at-Law from Ceylon Law College.
Sampanthan married Leeladevi, the daughter of P. K. Rudra, and together they raised three children: Sanjeevan, Senthuran, and Krishanthini.
Journey beginnings
Rajavarothiam Sampanthan’s political journey began in 1956 when he joined the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (Federal Party). Despite nominations declined in 1963 and 1970, he remained a stalwart within the party. The formation of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) in 1972 marked a milestone, merging various Tamil organizations into a united political front.
Sampanthan was elected to Parliament in 1977 representing the Trincomalee District. He belonged to a coalition that won the election by promising to establish an independent state for Tamils, claiming they have been treated unfairly by the Sinhalese-majority governments. However, in 1983, the government banned any promotion of separatism and required all lawmakers to take oaths to preserve the unity of the country and not support a separate state. Lawmakers in Sampanthan’s party refused to take the oath and boycotted Parliament, losing their seats due to their absence. They boycotted Parliament in protest against the treatment of the Tamil community.
Throughout his career, Sampanthan held numerous positions within TULF, including Joint Treasurer, Vice President, and General Secretary. Despite electoral setbacks in 1989 and 1994, he re-entered Parliament in 1997 following the assassination of A. Thangathurai. In 2001, the formation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) marked a new chapter in Tamil politics, with Sampanthan at its helm.
Community leadership
Sampanthan became more well-known after 2001 when he was elected to Parliament as part of the Tamil National Alliance, which was formed by the Tamil Tiger rebel group to represent them democratically after agreeing to a peace process brokered by Norway. However, peace talks failed, and the rebels were defeated by government forces in 2009. Sampanthan emerged as a leader in the Tamil community, advocating for justice for alleged government war crimes and greater autonomy and recognition for the Tamil-majority North and East.
As the leader of the Tamil National Alliance from 2001 to 2024, Sampanthan played a pivotal role in advocating for Tamil rights and autonomy. His leadership was widely reported to be a pro-Tamil Tiger stance, which led to a split within TULF. With undiscouraged resolute, he led the remaining members to revive the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK).
Sampanthan’s electoral successes in 2004, 2010, and 2015 renewed his already-established influence and the trust placed in him by his constituents. In 2015, his support for Maithripala Sirisena in the Presidential Election was instrumental in the former President’s victory over the then incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Opposition leadership
In 2015, he became only the second Tamil to be appointed as the Opposition Leader in Parliament, a position he held until 2018. A. Amirthalingam was the first Tamil to hold that position during the J.R. Jayewardene government (1977-1983), serving as the 7th Opposition Leader.
Rajavarothiam Sampanthan’s tenure as Opposition Leader from 2015 to 2018 epitomised his commitment to advocating for justice and equality. His efforts in Parliament and beyond have left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan politics, particularly in advancing the rights and representation of the Tamil community.
Although he passed away without achieving his goal of autonomy, Sampanthan played a crucial role in bringing international attention to the struggles of the Tamil community post-war and advocating for a fair resolution to the longstanding conflict.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over Sampanthan’s death, stating on the social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), “I will always cherish fond memories of meetings with him. He tirelessly pursued a life dedicated to peace, security, equality, justice, and dignity for the Tamil people of Sri Lanka.”
U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung remarked that Sampanthan’s advocacy for equal rights for minorities contributed to advancing broader human rights for all Sri Lankans and promoted unity.
Rajavarothiam Sampanthan will be remembered as a champion of Tamil rights, a dedicated public servant, and a revered leader.
Sachitra Mahendra
