 Global Tamils are still coming to grips with the sudden death of Tamil
Chelvan, LTTE’s chief negotiator and the head of its political unit.
His death is not only a big loss for the global Tamils but to all those
who love freedom and human dignity. But then, since such a high premium is placed on the goal of freedom,
Tamils will sooner or late come to accept the logic that the long
struggle ahead must be pursued with the memories left behind by martyrs
such as Tamil Chelvan and many other freedom fighters.
I was fortunate to meet and interact with Tamil Chelvan both in
Killinochi and abroad between 2003-2006. It was he who developed the
political section of the LTTE in accordance with the wishes of leader
Pirapahkaran. In mid-2003, it was he who established the Constitutional
Affairs Committee to draft the interim administration proposal (later
to be known as the ISGA).
After the death of Anton Balasingham, Tamil Chelvan was appointed by
Pirapahkaran as the chief negotiator of the LTTE. In discharging his
duties, Tamil Chelvan came to represent the voice of the LTTE to the
outside world. He traveled abroad for peace talks and met and
interacted with countless foreign delegations at his office in
Killinochi.
Pirapahkaran who groomed his political rise, had full faith in Tamil
Chelvan. Although the Pirapahkaran rarely met visitors, however, if he
did, then it was arranged through the good office of Tamil Chelvan.
Tamil Chelvan was the eyes and ears of Pirapahkaran in so far as the
outside world was concerned.
Tamil Chelvan’s smile was the most interesting aspect of his overall
personality. He was composed and what was more always smiling under the
most trying circumstances. He was a good listener and was willing to
hear alternative points of view. Although he would consult with
Pirapahkaran on all matters, the latter gave him enough space and
latitude to bring out his own creativity.
Like the late Thillai Jayakumar of Australia, Tamil Chelvan was the
human face of the LTTE. He gave much pride and dignity to the LTTE.
Visitors and diplomats who met and interacted with Tamil Chelvan had
nothing but praise for his diplomacy.
Tamil Chelvan was “Anna” figure to those who under him. He would
consult and discuss matters with them on numerous issues. When I
visited Killinochi with my wife and two daughters in December 2003, it
was Tamil Chelvan who made our trip extremely memorable. He ensured
that we would be well taken care. It was during this time, we met his
charming wife and his lovely daughter.
It was terrible shock to my family and me when we heard of his death
with five others. My son and daughters from UK called me to express
their sorrow. I was stunned for a while before I regained my composure
to make a few calls. All kinds of wild thoughts were running in my
head. I was thinking of Pirapahkaran and how he going to take the loss,
the fate of the family members of the deceased, the prospect of peace
negotiations and ultimately the future of Tamils in the north and east.
Thambi Tamil Chelvan might not be with us anymore. But certainly, it is
our paramount duty to keep his ideals alive. The loss of Tamil Chelvan
and many others before him should not be narrowly interpreted. He and
others gave up their lives in the pursuit of a larger and noble cause.
If we are to remember Tamil Chelvan then we must remember what he stood
for and what he wanted to achieve in his lifetime.
It will be fitting, if the LTTE could re-name its Peace Secretariat as “Tamil Chelvan’s Centre for Peace” in his memory.
P. Ramasamy - TamilCanadian
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