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Independent Member of Parliament for Jaffna District, Archuuna Ramanathan, stirred controversy with his recent tribute to slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, referring to him as his "god." Ramanathan made the remarks during a live video posted on social media, recounting his personal connection to the LTTE and his views on Sri Lankan Tamil identity.
Family History and Connection to the LTTE
Ramanathan revealed that his father, a former Sri Lankan government police officer, joined the LTTE police in 1987 after relocating to Jaffna during the ethnic riots of 1983.
"My father was a police officer of the Sri Lankan government. He worked everywhere in the country. He moved to Jaffna after the 1983 riots and started a liberation from that time against the government due to racist treatment," he said, contextualizing his family’s alignment with the LTTE.
Tributes to Prabhakaran
In his video, Ramanathan paid homage to Prabhakaran, stating, "Prabhakaran, my god, said that he is not against the Sinhala people but only the Sinhala government which killed us." He emphasized that his tribute was not about fostering division but remembering the lives lost during the decades-long civil conflict.
Reflection on Tamil Identity
Ramanathan asserted that Sri Lankan Tamils are not racists, positioning his tribute as a call for reconciliation and remembrance.
"We are not racists. We are Sri Lankan Tamils. We remember the lives lost during the war this month," he said, adding that his statements were not aimed at stirring tensions but to reflect on what he described as the systemic injustices faced by Tamils.
Reactions and Implications
The MP’s remarks have sparked significant debate, with critics accusing him of glorifying the LTTE, a banned terrorist organization in Sri Lanka. Supporters, however, view his statements as a reflection of the deep wounds left by the civil war and a call to address unresolved grievances.
Political analysts believe Ramanathan’s comments may reignite discussions about ethnic reconciliation and the role of historical narratives in shaping Sri Lanka’s future. Government representatives have yet to comment on his tribute.
A Call for Reflection
As Sri Lanka marks another anniversary of its turbulent history, Ramanathan’s remarks underscore the ongoing challenges of reconciliation and understanding. His statements are likely to elicit varied responses, reflecting the complexity of Sri Lanka’s post-war realities.
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