Sinnathurai commemorating Maaveerar Naal in London, 2022.
Selvachandran Sinnathurai, the father of Lieutenant Shankar, the first fighter from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to be killed in the Tamil armed struggle, passed away in London earlier this month.
Lieutenant Shankar holds a significant place in Tamil history as the first cadre to sacrifice his life in the early stages of the LTTE’s armed resistance against the Sri Lankan state. His death marked the beginning of a decades-long armed campaign that sought to establish an independent Tamil Eelam in the North-East of the island.
The passing of Sinnathurai has prompted tributes from across the Tamil diaspora, with many reflecting on the profound personal sacrifices made by families during the armed struggle.
In November 1982, the Sri Lankan security forces sought to capture Shankar in Jaffna. Though he was surrounded, Shankar managed to escape but with serious gunshot injuries.
Badly wounded, he was taken to Tamil Nadu in India for medical treatment via a risky boat journey across the Palk Strait. LTTE leader Prabhakaran was being detained in Tamil Nadu under house arrest at the time.
With a lack of available medical treatment at the time however, Shankar’s condition continued to deteriorate. His final words would be to Prabhakaran, affectionately calling him “thambi” or younger brother.
Lieutenant Shankar died at 6.05pm, on November 27, 1982. He was the first LTTE cadre to be killed. His remains were cremated at the Keeraththurai Crematorium in Madurai.
Every year, Tamils across the homeland and around the world light lamps on November 27, at 6.05 pm, the exact time of Shankar’s death to commemorate him and every other fighter who laid down their lives for the liberation of Tamil Eelam.