The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I wish to speak in condolence on the late Hon. Mavai Somasundaram Senathirajah. Born on 27 October 1942 in Maviddapuram to Somasundaram and Thayalnayagi, he was the eldest of seven. He studied at Tellippalai Veemankamam Maha Vidyalayam and Nadeswara College, Kankesanthurai, and married Mrs. Bhavani, daughter of Sadasivam and Selvamani, on 6 March 1980; they had three children—Kalaiamuthan, Ara Amuthan and Tharaka.

¶ 02 From student agitations against standardization and “Sinhala Only,” he joined the TULF youth in 1962, led the Kankesanthurai youth front, and later the Tamil Youth Front formed against university standardization, becoming its leader. He was among 42 youth leaders detained without trial; along with Vannai Anandan and Kasi Anandan he became a symbol to politicized Tamil youth. He was imprisoned eight times, for about 11 years cumulatively, across eight prisons.

¶ 03 He first entered Parliament via the National List after the assassination of Amirthalingam in 1989, again via National List after Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam’s death (1999–2000), then won Jaffna in 2000, serving continuously from 2000 to 2020—about 20 consecutive years, and 25 years overall as an MP. He served as ITAK General Secretary (2010–2014) and as ITAK Leader from 2014 until his passing in 2025. In 2013, though TNA partner parties preferred him as Chief Minister candidate, he graciously stepped aside for Justice C.V. Wigneswaran at Mr. Sampanthan’s request.

¶ 04 A statesman of Tamil nationalist politics and a symbol of resistance to majoritarianism, he passed away on 29 January 2025. On behalf of the people of Trincomalee District and ITAK, I convey heartfelt condolences to his wife Bhavani, sons Kalaiamuthan and Ara Amuthan, daughter Tharaka, and all relatives. Thank you.