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International tributes for former LTTE interpreter George Master

Former postmaster turned LTTE interpreter, Velupillai Kumaru Pancharatnam, affectionately referred to as George Master, passed away at the age of 85 on Sunday.

George Master had served as the official translator for Thamilselvan, the leader of the LTTE's poliical wing and lead negotiator. During his time he had met with several international delegations and attended the peace negotiations. He was arrested in April 2009 during the final phases of the armed conflict where he was detained by Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department and questioned over his role.


Marking his death, Erik Solheim, a senior Norweign official during the peace negotiations, described George Master as a "Tamil patriot".

Frances Harrison, a former BBC correspondent, marked his passing noting her first encounter with him.

Alan Keenan, Senior Consultant for the Internationa Crisis Group, described him as "much more than your average interpreter".

 

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