Samuel James Velupillai Chelvanayakam

Samuel James Velupillai Chelvanayakam, commonly known as S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, was a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politician and a key leader in the struggle for Tamil rights in Sri Lanka. He was the co-founder and long-time leader of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, also known as the Federal Party, which advocated for federalism and greater autonomy for the Tamil-speaking population in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. Chelvanayakam's political career was marked by his commitment to non-violent resistance and dialogue with the government, as he sought to resolve the ethnic tensions that plagued Sri Lanka. His legacy includes the historic Banda-Chelva Agreement, which aimed to provide a political solution to the Tamil national question.