Veteran Tamil politician Mavai Senathirajah passes away

Former Parliamentarian and senior leader of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK), Mavai Senathirajah, passed away at the age of 82 on January 29.

The veteran Tamil politician had been receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital after being admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) following an accident at his home.

Senathirajah, a prominent figure in Sri Lankan Tamil politics, led ITAK from 2014 to 2024. He was a key member of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the main political coalition representing the Tamil community. His political journey began in 1962 when he joined the youth wing of ITAK, the Tamil Youth League. In 1972, he became secretary of the Tamil Youth Front, the youth wing of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF).

Senathirajah first entered Parliament in 1989 as a National List Member for the TULF and re-entered Parliament in 1999. He was a key figure in the formation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in 2001, a coalition of Tamil political parties including the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization, and TULF.

Over his decades-long political career, Senathirajah was elected to Parliament multiple times, representing the Jaffna District in the 2000, 2001, 2004, 2010, and 2015 parliamentary elections. He also served as general-secretary of ITAK before being elected as its leader in 2014.

Senathirajah’s passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Sri Lankan Tamil politics, with many remembering him for his lifelong commitment to the Tamil cause.