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Renowned Tamil broadcaster Ananthi Sooriyapragasam, widely known as ‘BBC Ananthi,’ passed away on 21 February 2025 at a private hospital in the UK, her family confirmed.
Born in Chavakachcheri, Sooriyapragasam began her career at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), acting in radio plays and working as a broadcaster. In the early 1970s, she became the first Tamil woman to be employed by the BBC, joining its Tamil branch—BBC Thamilosai—where she worked as a journalist for over three decades until her retirement in 2005.
Her reporting during the armed conflict made her a trusted and familiar voice in Tamil households across the island and diaspora. She provided in-depth coverage of the war, interviewing key political figures, officials, and civilians affected by the conflict.
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A notable moment in her career was in 1995 when she interviewed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran following the collapse of peace talks with the Sri Lankan government. The interview cemented her status as one of the most prominent journalists covering the Tamil national question.
Beyond her role as a journalist, Sooriyapragasam was also a vocal advocate for Eelam Tamil rights, both at home and within the UK. She played a crucial role in keeping the global Tamil diaspora informed and engaged with the political and humanitarian crises unfolding in their homeland.