List of Sri Lankan Tamils explained
This is a list of notable Tamils of Sri Lanka by their country of domicile or origin. All communities that speak (or spoke) Tamil and originally came from Sri Lanka are included. Tamils of Sri Lanka today are a trans-national minority and are found across the globe.
Sri Lanka
Academics
- Rev. Fr. (Dr.) H. S. David - Priest, Scholar and Linguist who died of shock the next day after seeing flames engulfing Jaffna Library from his room at St. Patrick's College, Jaffna the night before.[1] [2]
- Srikanthalakshmi Arulanandam - Principle Librarian at the University of Jaffna
- A. Thurairajah - Professor, Vice Chancellor of University of Peradeniya, Civil Engineer (Akbar Bridge in University of Peradeniya was constructed by him), Founder of Thurai Law (About Soil)
- T. Nadaraja - Chancellor of the University of Jaffna; Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Ceylon
- S. Raveendranath - Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka
- K. Sivathamby - emeritus professor of University of Jaffna; prominent Tamil scholar, sociologist and author of books
- X. Thaninayagam - scholar, author and historian
- Valentine Joseph - was a Sri Lankan Tamil mathematician, noted for his contributions to education
- Rajini Thiranagama - murdered human rights activist and author of books; head of the Department of Anatomy, University of Jaffna; member of University Teachers for Human Rights assassinated by Tamil Tigers.
- T. Varagunam - Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka
Activists
Actors and directors
Sri Lankan international and first class cricketers, umpires, and administrators
Other athletes and sports people
Authors, writers, poets and artists
- V. Akilesapillai - author, scholar, poet and Hindu activist
- Ananda Coomaraswamy - Orientalist, author, philosopher and metaphysician
- Dominic Jeeva - author and social activist
- S. Kanapathipillai - scholar
- Muttukumara Kavirajar - poet and Hindu activist
- Kumaraswamy Pulavar - scholar, poet and Hindu activist
- D. Raja Segar - painter and sculptor
- Tharshan Selvarajah - chef
- Alagu Subramaniam - Writer, a prominent figure in London's Bloomsbury literary circle, a Barrister-at-Law of The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, and an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon
- C. W. Thamotharampillai - editor and publisher of classical Tamil poetry and grammar; the oldest extant written work in Tamil, Tolkapiyam - Porulathikaram, was discovered and published by him with a commentary
Business people
- Ken Balendra - Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive; holds and has held many corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region
- Chandran Rutnam - filmmaker and owner of Lionair
- Suresh Joachim- is well known as the co-founder of WBBAS, No Poverty No Disease No War, World Peace Marathon and Suresh Joachim International Group Of Companies.
Diplomats
- Yogendra Duraiswamy - first batch of Ceylon Overseas Service, 1949
- Tamara Kunanayakam - Sri Lankan Ambassador to Cuba (2008-2009); Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva
Historical figures
Tamil historical figures who ruled the Sinhalese kingdom
- Sena and Guttika - Tamil horse merchants who ascended the throne in Anuradhapura, 237-215 BC
- Ellalan - ruled Anuradhapura from 205 BC to 161 BC; considered a most impartial and just monarch
- Pulahatta - Tamil king, ruled from Anuradhapura 103 -100 BC
- Bahiya - Tamil king, ruled from Anuradhapura 100-98 BC
- Panya Mara - Tamil king, ruled from Anuradhapura 98-91 BC
- Pilaya Mara - Tamil King, ruled from Anuradapura 91-90 BC
- Dathiya - Tamil King of Anuradhapura 447-450 AD
- Pandu - Tamil king from 436 to 441 BC
- Parindu - son of Pandu, ruled for one year, 441 BC
- Khudda Parinda - brother of Pandu, ruled 441-447 BC
- Tiritara - 447 BC
- Dathiya - 447-450 BC
- Pithiya - 450-452
- Chempaha Perumal - a Jaffna Tamil who ascended the Sinhala throne as King Bhuvanekabahu VI of Kotte
Journalists and broadcasters
Lawyers and judges
- V. Casipillai - Crown Proctor, President of the Jaffna Hindu Board, co-founder of Jaffna Hindu College, founder of Parvathy Maha Vidyalayam and other educational institutions
- Hon. Justice V. Manicavasagar - Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, Chancellor of the University of Jaffna and Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon
- K. Kanag-Isvaran - Lawyer and President's Counsel
- S. Selliah - Justice of the Court of Appeal, Judge of the High Court, Magistrate
- S. Sharvananda - Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and Governor of the Western Province
- K. Sripavan - 44th Chief justice, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- H. D. Thambiah - Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice of the Supreme Court, and Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
- H. W. Thambiah - Justice of the Supreme Court
Militants and rebels
Military
- Air Vice Marshal P.B. Premachandra - former Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force
- Air Vice Marshal Ravi Arunthavanathan - former Deputy Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force and current Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence
- Major General Y. Balaretnarajah, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama, National Defence College, India, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps - Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army (1992-1992)
- Rear Admiral Rajan Kadiragamar, Royal Victorian Order, Royal Ceylon Navy - former Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy
- Air Vice Marshal A. Kumaresan, Rana Sura Padakkama, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Psc (British Army), Sri Lanka Air Force - current Director of Planning, Sri Lanka Air Force
- Major General Anton Muttukumaru, OBE, Efficiency Decoration; Aide-de-camp, Ceylon Light Infantry; first Ceylonese Commander of the Sri Lanka Army
- Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah, Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Uttama Seva Padakkama, ndu - 21st Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, veteran of attack flotilla
- Major General E. G. Thevanayagam, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya - Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (1984–1986)
- Major General Chelliah Thurairaja, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps - former Director Army Medical Services and Colonel Commandant Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
- Colonel David Rockwood, KStJ, ED, JP - Deputy Commandant of the Volunteer Force
Politicians
- Selvam Adaikalanathan - President of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization and Member of Parliament
- A. Amirthalingam - leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front, Leader of the Opposition and Member of Parliament
- V. Anandasangaree - leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front and Member of Parliament
- Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam CCS - pre-independence politician and civil servant; Registrar General; member of Executive Council of Ceylon; member of Legislative Council of Ceylon
- A. Canagaratnam - member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon, Chairman of the first Urban Council of Jaffna; founder of Canagaratnam Maha Vidyalayam (formerly Stanley College) in Jaffna
- S. J. V. Chelvanayakam - political leader of the Sri Lankan Tamil people; founder and leader of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (Federal Party); leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front; Member of Parliament
- A. Coomaraswamy - member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
- Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy - member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon; first Asian to be knighted; father of author Ananda Coomaraswamy[7]
- Douglas Devananda - Militant turned politician; founder and leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party paramilitary group; Government Minister and Member of Parliament
- K. W. Devanayagam - former minister, Member of Parliament, lawyer who represented Kalkudah seat
- Waithilingam Duraiswamy - pre-independence Sri Lankan lawyer, politician and speaker of the State Council of Ceylon
- Alfred Duraiappah - Member of Parliament from 1960 to 1964; Mayor of Jaffna
- Jeyaraj Fernandopulle - slain SLFP politician, a Negombo chetty
- Mano Ganesan - leader of the Democratic People's Front political party; Member of Parliament; member of Western Provincial Council
- Praba Ganeshan - MP
- Lakshman Kadirgamar - Minister of Foreign Affairs; nominated Member of Parliament
- N. Kumaraguruparan - General Secretary of Democratic People's Front political party; General Secretary and Senior Vice President of All Ceylon Tamil Congress; member of the Colombo Municipal Council; member of Western Provincial Council
- Sir Arunachalam Mahadeva - Minister of Home Affairs; member of the State Council of Ceylon; member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
- S. Nadesan - member of the State Council of Ceylon, Member of Parliament, Senator
- Joseph Pararajasingham - Member of Parliament
- C. Ponnambalam - first Mayor of Jaffna
- G. G. Ponnambalam - political leader of the Sri Lankan Tamil people; founder and leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress; government minister and Member of Parliament
- Kumar Ponnambalam - Nationalist politician and human rights activist; leader of All Ceylon Tamil Congress; presidential candidate
- Suresh Premachandran - leader of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front and Member of Parliament
- Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan - pre-independence politician and political leader of the Sri Lankan Tamil people; Solicitor General of Ceylon; member of Legislative Council of Ceylon
- N. Raviraj - Member of Parliament
- James T. Rutnam - historian, educationalist, author and politician
- A. Sabapathy - member of Legislative Council of Ceylon; one of the founders of Jaffna Hindu College; editor of Hindu Organ; President of Jaffna Association
- T. M. Sabaratnam - member of Legislative Council of Ceylon; President of the Vattrapalai Kannagi Amman Kovil Trust
- R. Sampanthan - Leader of Tamil National Alliance political party; Member of Parliament
- S. Sellamuttu, OBE - Colombo mayor, 1951
- N. Shanmugathasan - General Secretary of the Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist)
- C. Sittampalam - Minister of Posts and Telecommunications in the first Cabinet of independent Ceylon; Member of Parliament
- S. Sivamaharajah - Member of Parliament; managing director of Namathu Eelanadu
- M. Sivasithamparam - Deputy Speaker of the Parliament
- C. Suntharalingam - Government Minister and Member of Parliament
- Bala Tampoe - veteran trade unionist; General Secretary of the Ceylon Mercantile, Industrial and General Workers Union
- Arumugam Thondaman - leader of the CWC
- S. Thondaman - leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress, Government Minister, Member of Parliament
- Murugeysen Tiruchelvam - Government Minister and Senator
- Neelan Tiruchelvam - Member of Parliament
- Sir Kanthiah Vaithianathan KBE CCS - Minister for Housing, Industry and Social Service; first Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs and Defence (1947–1952); Senator[8]
- A. Vinayagamoorthy - President of All Ceylon Tamil Congress and Member of Parliament
- Sarojini Yogeswaran - Mayor of Jaffna
- V. Yogeswaran - co-leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front and Member of Parliament
Religious figures
Australia
Activists
Business people
- Maha Sinnathamby - property developer; the man behind Australia's largest real estate project; frequently listed in BRW's annual list of the 200 richest Australians
Singers
- Kamahl (Kandiah Kamalesvaran) - singer
- Dhee (Dheekshitha Venkadeshan) - singer
Sportspeople
Canada
Academics
Actors and directors
Athletes and sports people
Authors, writers, poets and musicians
Business people
- Roy Ratnavel - Business executive and the author of the book Prisoner #1056.
Politicians
India
Actors and directors
Authors, writers, poets and artists
- V. Kanakasabhai - lawyer, historian and Dravidologist of Sri Lankan Tamil descent
Politicians
Athletes
Malaysia
Academics
Athletes and sports people
Authors, writers, poets and artists
- Rani Manicka - writer
- Manicasothy Saravanamuttu - editor of The Straits Echo in Malaya (1931–1941); credited with 'saving' Penang during Japanese invasion in 1941; author of The Sara Saga
Business people
- Vijay Eswaran - Group MD; CEO of the QI Group of companies
- Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam - executive chairman of Westport; ranked 29th in the 2007 Forbes Asia List of the 40 Richest Malaysians
- Ananda Krishnan - Malaysia's richest man and 62nd Richest Man in the world according to the 2009 Forbes Billionaire List
- Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas - the first non-British businessman who endeavoured to become one of the top bankers in the then Malaya
Civil servants
Politicians
Singapore
Academics
- Philip Jeyaretnam - professor of law; member of Public Service Commission
- Shan Ratnam - former Head of Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the National University of Singapore
Authors, writers, poets and artists
Civil servants
Politicians
United Kingdom
Academics
Activists
Actors/actresses
- Amara Karan, British actress, whose parents moved to the UK from Zambia for work.
Athletes and sports people
Comedians
Musicians and singers
- Arjun - recording artist, born to a Tamil father
- M.I.A. (Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) - British rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer
- Siva Kaneswaran - member of the English-Irish boy band The Wanted, born to a Tamil father
- Ashan Pillai- British violist and professor
Journalists and broadcasters
Politicians
United States
Academics
Authors, writers, poets and artists
- Mary Anne Mohanraj - Sri Lankan-born writer, editor, and academic
Business people
Musicians and singers
Politicians
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Appreciations:He died seeing the Jaffna library burn. May 22, 2024. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 1 June 1997.
- Web site: 37 years on - remembering the burning of the Jaffna Public Library. May 23, 2024. Tamil Guardian. 31 May 2018.
- Kunarasa, K. The Jaffna Dynasty, pp.82-84
- Gnanaprakasar, S. A critical history of Jaffna, pp.113-117
- Abeysinghe, T. Jaffna Under the Portuguese, pp.58-63
- Gnanaprakasar, S. A critical history of Jaffna, pp.153-172
- http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/feb102008/394.pdf Ananda K. Coomaraswamy: From Geology to philosophia perennis
- Book: Army, Sri Lanka . Sri Lanka Army, "50 YEARS ON" - 1949-1999 . 1st. October 1999 . Sri Lanka Army . Colombo . 955-8089-02-8.
- http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=54022 Film Collection – National Film Board of Canada – Blood and Water
- Web site: Sivarasa Wins! . 2008-03-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080312011121/http://www.sivarasa4subang.com/site/archives/86 . 2008-03-12 .
