A. Chandranehru facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hon. Maamanithar A. Chandranehru MP
அ. சந்திரநேரு
Member of Parliament for Ampara District
In office 2001–2004
Personal details
Born	(1944-10-15)15 October 1944
Died	8 February 2005(2005-02-08) (aged 60) Colombo, Sri Lanka
Cause of death	Assassination
Political party	Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi
Other political affiliations	Tamil National Alliance
Occupation	Merchant seaman
Ethnicity	Sri Lankan Tamil

Ariyanayagam Chandranehru (Tamil: அரியநாயகம் சந்திரநேரு) was a politician from Sri Lanka. He was born on October 15, 1944, and passed away on February 8, 2005. He was a Sri Lankan Tamil and also worked as a merchant seaman, which means he sailed on ships for a living. Later, he became a Member of Parliament, representing his people in the government.

Early Life and Family Background

Chandranehru was born in a place called Thirukkovil in south-eastern Ceylon (which is now Sri Lanka). His parents named him after two famous leaders from India's fight for independence: Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru.

His father, K. A. W. Ariyanayagam, was an important person. He helped start a political party called the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, also known as the Federal Party. Chandranehru's father believed in Gandhiyam, a way of life based on non-violence, like Mahatma Gandhi. He took part in peaceful protests for civil rights for Tamils in the 1950s and 1960s.

Chandranehru also joined these peaceful protests, called satyagrahas, in 1956 and 1961. However, like many young Tamils at the time, he became disappointed that non-violent protests weren't bringing enough change. He then started to support groups that believed in using armed struggle to achieve their goals.

His family were Protestant Christians. His brother, Ruban, was a Methodist pastor. Chandranehru's son, C. Chandrakanthan, also later became a Member of Parliament.

His Career and Political Journey

Chandranehru first worked for the government in the fisheries department. After that, he started working on a ship from the Maldives as a "second officer." This is a role where you help the captain. After six years, he became a captain himself.

In the mid-1980s, when he came home for a holiday, he was arrested. This happened under a law called the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He was held in prison for over a year. This experience made him even more determined to support the idea of a Tamil Eelam, which was a separate Tamil state, achieved through armed struggle.

In the late 1990s, he stopped working on ships. He returned to his hometown of Thirukkovil and became a businessman, buying several shops.

In 2001, Chandranehru decided to run for Parliament. He was a candidate for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the Ampara Electoral District. He won the election and became a Member of Parliament. However, he was not re-elected in the 2004 election, even though he came in second among the TNA candidates. On July 9, 2004, Chandranehru and others helped create an organization called NESOHR, which stands for the North East Secretariat on Human Rights.

Tragic Assassination

On the night of February 7, 2005, Chandranehru was traveling with some members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). They were in a van, driving from Polonnaruwa to Thirukkovil.

Around 7:45 PM, their van was stopped by another vehicle. Men in military uniforms got out and ordered everyone in Chandranehru's van to get out. The police officers who were protecting Chandranehru did not fight back because the men were dressed in military uniforms.

The men then started shooting at Chandranehru and his group. E. Kousalyan, who was a political leader for the LTTE in that area, and four other LTTE members were killed. Chandranehru was badly hurt in the attack. He was taken to a hospital in Colombo National Hospital, but he sadly died from his injuries the next day, on February 8.

The attack happened near several army camps. Many people blamed a group called the Karuna paramilitary group and the Sri Lankan military for the attack. Another group, the Tamil National Force, later said they were responsible.

On February 12, 2005, the LTTE gave Chandranehru the special title of Maamanithar, which means "great human being."

Electoral History