SJV Chelvanayakam
Ezha Thanthai Selva Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam (born March 31, 1898 in Ipoh , Malaysia , † April 27, 1977 ) was a Tamil politician from Sri Lanka . He is considered one of the most important leaders of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Chelvanayakam was born in Malaysia. From the age of four, however, he lived in Sri Lanka (what was then Ceylon). He studied at Union College of Tellippalai and St. Thomas' College . At the age of 19 he received a bachelor's degree.
Chelvanayakam became vice-chairman of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (party) in the pursuit of independence from British colonial rule. He was elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka in 1947.
Chelvanayakam was a great role model for many Tamils in Sri Lanka, he was known as "Thanthai Chelva" or "Father Chelva". He has also been compared to Mahatma Gandhi for his non-violence. Until the end of his life he only used peaceful means to achieve his political goals. Chelvanayakam's political biography was published in 1994 by his son-in-law, political science professor A. Jeyaratnam Wilson.
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Chelvanayakam, SJV |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Chelvanayakam, Ezha Thanthai Selva Samuel James Veluppillai (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Tamil politician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 31, 1898 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Ipoh , Malaysia |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 27, 1977 |