The second Tamil-speaking Opposition leader, who played a pivotal role in the creation of the sovereign State of Sri Lanka, passed away on 30 June. He was also the oldest member of the Ninth Parliament, established under the Constitution of the Second Republic. At the age of 91 years, four months, and 20 days, he witnessed the formation of the first State Council and the tenure of the second President elected by Parliament. His death marks the end of an era in Sri Lankan politics. There is a cultural adage often cited as a benchmark for an independent existence: “No Debt and No Fear.”
If we consider that as a fictitious criterion to analyse the character of Sampanthan, he emerges as a truly fearless man with no debt to the country or society. What does a consideration of his long – standing period in Parliament tell us? His long involvement in politics clearly shows that he, while he was appointed as the Opposition Leader, has never sought any position. Compared to other leaders in the country, it is not an exaggeration to say he has remained a steadfast figure surpassing the seniors such as Maithripala Sirisena and Dinesh Gunawardena. Mahathir Mohamad, who shares a close age gap with Sampanthan, was elected Prime Minister of Malaysia at the age of 95 and is now in his 99th year. Sampanthan represented an ethnic group with a numerically low percentage in the country, making his role as the Leader of the Opposition quite surprising to many. In 2016, a proposal emerged to establish a system for appointing leaders like Sampanthan to national positions. The Lal Wijenayake Committee, tasked with proposing a new constitution, recommended creating a Vice Presidential Post for the two main ethnic groups not represented by the President. However, it is doubtful that such a proposal was widely known or considered by the majority of the Ninth Parliament.
R. Sampanthan, also known as Rajavarodiyam Sampanthan, was not simply a figure praised by his supporters. He faced significant opposition both in the South and the North of Sri Lanka. In the North, critics argued he lacked the radicalism they desired, while in the South, he was seen as the intellectual force behind the radical Northern youth. Even today, those who adhere to rigid stereotypes fail to appreciate the depth and sophistication of his modern political thought. Despite these challenges, Sampanthan maintained close relationships with many Southern leaders, attending their weddings and funerals. Despite his frail health and weakened speech, he was a regular presence at five-star hotels frequented by the diplomatic community and at high-level meetings where power dynamics were negotiated.
We believe Sampanthan’s presence would be vital at a time such as this, owing to the brilliantly colourful blend of his character. When we examine his life, alongside the names and places mentioned here, it becomes evident that he was a long-lived expert who navigated the complexities of Sri Lankan society with remarkable skill and resilience. His journey reflects a profound understanding and an unwavering commitment to his principles, making him a pivotal figure in the nation’s political landscape.
Those familiar with Sampanthan’s background know that he was educated at prestigious institutions such as St. Patrick’s College in Jaffna, St. Anne’s College in Kurunegala, St. Joseph’s College in Trincomalee, and St. Sebastian’s College in Moratuwa. As a young man, he was a very active Lawyer. He began his political journey with the Sri Lankan Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi Party (ITAK), founded by S.J.V. Chelvanayakam. Concurrently, he utilised the Federal Party as an alternative political current, moving away from a nationalist stance to sharpen his ideological perspective.
After that, Sampanthan was a prominent figure among the Tamil-speaking youth leaders who witnessed the devastation of Black July in 1983, the localism nationalistic policy promoted by the Samagi Peramuna government, and the liberal economic model introduced by the Jayewardene government. Despite his significant presence, he was not a populist leader who consistently won Elections. He faced defeats in 1970 and 1989, and it was only in 1994 that he rejoined Parliament due to the assassination of his fellow MP A. Thangathurai.
Sampanthan’s most notable achievement in his challenging career may be the creation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the early 2000s. At first glance, this alliance appeared to have the potential to rejuvenate the Sri Lankan political landscape by uniting various political parties, represented by young people with reformist left ideologies, and a group of young individuals who had temporarily laid down their arms after pursuing a radical path. However, what is the current situation?
Sampanthan is likely the last representative of the distinguished political generation from the past that we see today. Nevertheless, he was not without flaws. A couple of his issues are documented here.
The first issue is that Sampanthan’s approach to dealing with the South lacked future investment, despite enduring numerous insults and not receiving reciprocal affection from Southern leaders. His silence during critical moments, when the South could have been ignited by conflict, was notable. However, his continued silence even as Southern interests inflamed tensions in the North remains an inexplicable enigma.
Another issue is that as Sampanthan aged, instead of actively participating, he seemed to merely hold the Parliament Seat with minimal involvement. For instance, over the past four years, he attended Parliament on only 42 days while being absent for 332 days. It is not surprising that such a disparity reflects a broader issue, where the new generation’s approach to politics — often characterised by inaction — compounds the problem. This is a troubling trend seen across Sri Lanka, from the current President to the Secretary of the Ministry.
I will reiterate: The Sampanthan life is a blessing to Mother Sri Lanka.
The Bhagavad Gita identifies four types of character traits, one of which is ‘the man of wisdom.’ Sampanthan exemplifies this trait, having navigated a country fraught with inept rulers and left a lasting impact on the political landscape of the country.