S. Sivamaharajah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
S. Sivamaharajah
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சி. சிவமகராஜா
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| Member of Parliament for Jaffna District |
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| In office 1989–1990 |
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| Preceded by | S. Sivnantharaja |
| In office 2000–2001 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 June 1938 Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 20 August 2006 (aged 68) Tellippalai, Sri Lanka |
| Cause of death | Assassination by gunshot |
| Political party | Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi |
| Other political affiliations |
Tamil National Alliance, Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students |
Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah (Tamil: சின்னத்தம்பி சிவமகராஜா; born June 28, 1938 – died August 20, 2006) was an important person in Sri Lanka. He was a newspaper publisher, a politician, and a Member of Parliament. This means he was elected by people to represent them in the country's main law-making body.
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About S. Sivamaharajah
His Early Life
Sivamaharajah was born on June 28, 1938. His hometown was Kollankaladdy, which is close to Tellippalai in Sri Lanka.
His Work as a Politician
Sivamaharajah first ran for Parliament in 1989. He was a candidate for the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS) in the Jaffna Electoral District. He won the election and became a Member of Parliament.
However, Sivamaharajah and other EROS members decided not to attend Parliament. They disagreed with a new rule that required them to promise not to support a separate state. After three months, Sivamaharajah lost his seat in Parliament.
But he returned to Parliament soon after. Another member resigned, and Sivamaharajah took his place in July 1989. He left Parliament again in May 1990.
Later, Sivamaharajah ran for Parliament again in 2000. This time, he was with the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF). He was elected once more.
In 2001, several political groups, including TULF, formed a new alliance called the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Sivamaharajah ran for election with the TNA in 2001 and 2004, but he was not elected in those years.
His Newspaper Work
Beyond politics, Sivamaharajah was also a managing director. He led Namathu Eelanadu, a newspaper published in the Tamil language. This newspaper started in 2002. It was known for supporting Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism, which is a belief in the identity and rights of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
In 2005, the newspaper's office in Jaffna was searched by the Sri Lanka Army. The staff working there were questioned.
Helping His Community
Sivamaharajah also played a big role in his local community. He was the chairman of the Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (MPCS) in Tellippalai. He also led the Consortium of Valikamam North Public Organizations.
He worked hard to help many people. These were civilians who had to leave their homes in the Valikamam North High Security Zone (HSZ). This zone was controlled by the Sri Lankan military.
His Passing
On August 20, 2006, Sivamaharajah was shot and killed. This happened at his temporary home in Tellippalai. His home was inside the High Security Zone, and there was a curfew at the time. A curfew means people are not allowed outside.
Many people blamed a group called the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) for his death. This group was supported by the government. Organizations like Reporters Without Borders and UNESCO strongly spoke out against his killing. His death was part of a series of attacks on Tamil media members that started in 2005.
Two days after his death, a group called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) honored him. They gave him the title Maamanithar, which means "great human being."
