Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem has expressed his condolences over the demise of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member R. Sampanthan, stating that the late MP bridged the relations between the Tamil-Muslim Communities in Sri Lanka. 

Issuing a statement, MP Hakeem said the passing of the senior political leader Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, who served as a bridge of Tamil-Muslim relations, has distressed the Tamil-speaking people. 

“I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of Hon Sampanthan, a political doyen who was tirelessly engaged in the pursuit of an ultimate solution for the national ethnic problem in the country, especially for the Tamil people and the minority communities in general.

“Hon Sampanthan has gone down in history as a leading political figure in Parliament, whose arguments in Parliament focused on the unfulfilled promises of the South’s chauvinistic political leadership,” he said.

Sampanthan was the leader of the Opposition from September 15 to December 2018. Nurtured in Thanthai Chelva’s (S J V Chalvanayakam’s) school of ahimsa-based politics, he entered Parliament through the Ilankai Thamizh Arasu Katchi (ITAK), representing Trincomalee on numerous occasions and served as the President of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from 2001 to date, leading it remarkably well since the latter’s inception.

R Sampanthan remained strident in his opposition to the numerous unfulfilled promises for the Tamil-speaking minorities, made by successive governments and chauvinist political leaderships of the South, for whom he was an indubitable authority on minority rights.

MP Hakeem revealed that although the non-violent Tamil struggle to win the rights of the Tamil people, traditionally followed since the times of ‘Thanthai’Chelva, changed its course later, owing to several circumstances, R Sampanthan worked relentlessly to find consensus among the Tamil parties and the other minority communities for achieving mutually beneficial solutions to the Tamil sides and the minorities in the peace negotiations between the government and the LTTE.

He has also forthrightly expressed from time to time, that the North-East merger, which was touted as a solution to the ethnic problem would not be possible without the consent of the Muslims living there.

R Sampanthan represented Trincomalee district in Parliament at different times since 1977, and continuously represented his party in Parliament since 2000 until his last breath, conducting himself in an exemplary manner, faithfully upholding the principles of his party and the Alliance.

In later years, although his health weakened in his old age and he visited Parliament in a wheelchair, his eloquence and sharp wit remained unfazed. Above all, his memory was admirable to the extent that he would even point out and elaborate on various aspects of the issues of solving the ethnic problem at different challenging times.

MP Hakeem said that although it is regrettable that his loss has occurred at a critical point of time in the politics of the country, the Tamil people and the minorities, including all Tamil-speaking people remain indebted to him. “We owe him a sense of gratitude to the extent of committing ourselves steadfastly to achieve durable peace, in the settlement of the ethnic problem, by making every necessary concession for it, in the best of our ability with minimum damage. 

“Personally and on behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, I offer my deepest condolences to late Hon R Sampanthan’s bereaved family, the people of Trincomalee, the Ilankai Thamizh Arasu Katchi and the Tamil National Alliance,” MP Rauff Hakeem added. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe will make a special statement in Parliament tomorrow (July 02) about the debt restructuring agreements reached with creditor nations recently.

It is reported that however, the Parliamentary debate on the debt restructuring agreements reached with creditor nations, which was scheduled for 02 & 03 July, will be postponed.

The debate has been postponed in view of the demise of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan. 

Meanwhile, the remains of TNA member R. Sampanthan will lie in state at the Parliament on 03 July from 02.00 pm to 04.00 pm.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member and former Opposition Leader MP R. Sampanthan passed away at the age of 91 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. (Newswire)

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences on the passing of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan.

In a post on ‘X’, PM Modi said he will always cherish fond memories of meetings with the late Sampanthan. 

PM Modi further said that Sampanthan relentlessly pursued a life of peace, security, equality, justice and dignity for the Tamil nationals of Sri Lanka and that he will be deeply missed by his followers in Sri Lanka and India.

“My deepest condolences to the family and friends of veteran TNA leader R. Sampanthan. Will always cherish fond memories of meetings with him. He relentlessly pursued a life of peace, security, equality, justice and dignity for the Tamil nationals of Sri Lanka. He will be deeply missed by his friends and followers in Sri Lanka and India. @TNAmediaoffice,”, the Indian Prime Minister said in his message on ‘X’. 

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member and former Opposition Leader MP R. Sampanthan passed away at the age of 91 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Sampanthan’s political career spanned six decades, with his first stint in the Sri Lankan parliament starting in 1977. Having served in five parliaments, he was the incumbent MP for Trincomalee District in 1977.

Sampanthan led the Tamil National Alliance since 2001 and was a Member of Parliament continuously from 2001 until his demise. He was the Leader of the Opposition from September 2015 to December 2018. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has expressed his condolences over the demise of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament and former Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan.

In a post on ‘X’, MP Premadasa said late MP Sampanthan’s dedication to equal rights for all Sri Lankans is a beacon of hope.

MP Premadasa added that the late MP’s fair and just leadership will continue to inspire him and many others. 

“Today, we mourn the loss of Mr. Sampanthan, who served Sri Lanka for over half a century. His dedication to equal rights for all Sri Lankans is a beacon of hope. His fair and just leadership will continue to inspire me and many others. Truly, it is the end of an era,” the Opposition Leader said. 

Meanwhile, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also expressed his condolences on the passing of TNA Leader R. Sampanthan.

In a post on ‘X’, the former President said Sampanthan’s demise is a loss to Sri Lanka’s political fraternity.

“My deepest condolences on the passing of TNA Leader R. Sampanthan. He was an old friend and colleague and we shared many a days discussing various issues. His demise is a loss to Sri Lanka political fraternity and may his family & friends overcome this sad loss. @TNAmediaoffice,” former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. 

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member and former Opposition Leader MP R. Sampanthan passed away at the age of 91 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

Sampanthan’s political career spanned six decades, with his first stint in the Sri Lankan parliament starting in 1977. Having served in five parliaments, he was the incumbent MP for Trincomalee District in 1977.

Sampanthan led the Tamil National Alliance since 2001 and was a Member of Parliament continuously from 2001 until his demise. He was the Leader of the Opposition from September 2015 to December 2018. (Newswire)

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