Thanthai Chelva remembered on his 107th birthday

[TamilNet, Friday, 01 April 2005, 10:43 GMT]
Mr. S.J.V.Chelva-nayakam, founder of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) and fondly called by Tamils as "Thanthai" (father) was remembered on his 107th birthday in Jaffna and Vavuniya Thursday. Jaffna Bishop of South Indian Diocese Rt Rev.Jebanesan in the capacity of Thanthai Chelva Trustee garlanded the statue of late leader Mr.Chelvanayakam which is located in the Chelva mausoleum in Jaffna town. Parliamentarian and the current President of ITAK Mr.Mavai Senathirajah and parliamentarian Mr.M.K.Sivajilingam also garlanded the statue, sources said.

Large number of Tamil activities paid homage to the late leader by offering flowers to the statue.

Twenty-two Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians representing the northeast in the current parliament contested the 2004 parliamentary election on April 2nd on the ITAK ticket founded in 1949 by the late leader Mr.Chelvanayakam, political sources said.

Mr.Mavai Senathirajah addressing the gathering said the late leader hailed from Tellipalai area in Jaffna district which is now declared high security zone by the government military establishment." The soil where late leader lived, launched Tamil freedom struggle and moved with his people is now under the control of Sinhala army," said Mr.Mavai Senathirajah.

Meanwhile, special prayers were held in St.Antony's Church and Kurumankadu Kali Kovil in Vavuniya. Mr.K.Seenivasagam, President of Vanni Thanthai Chelva Commemoration Committee presided over the event, sources said.

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