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Influential Sri lanka tamil Individuals: The Top 10 Names to Know

5 min read January 24, 2024

Sri Lanka is home to a diverse population, including a significant Tamil population. Many Sri Lankan Tamils have made significant contributions to the arts, politics, sports, and other fields. Here are ten of the most notable Sri Lankan Tamil celebrities and people:

1. M. I. A.

  • Full name: Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam
  • Occupation: Singer, songwriter, record producer, and visual artist
  • Known for: Her unique blend of electronic music, Tamil folk music, and hip hop
  • Notable achievements: Grammy Award winner, Mercury Prize nominee

2. Kandiah Neelakandan

  • Occupation: Former Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament
  • Known for: His role in the Sri Lankan Civil War and his advocacy for Tamil rights
  • Notable achievements: Served as the Chief Minister of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka

3. Muttiah Muralitharan

  • Occupation: Former Sri Lankan cricketer
  • Known for: His record-breaking achievements as a bowler
  • Notable achievements: Highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history, ICC Hall of Famer

4. Visu

  • Full Name – Parisutha Pathmanathan
  • Occupation: Tamil writer, theatre artist, poet and dramatist.
  • Known for: The drama pathintha velaiyil, and the novel Kelviyin nayagan.
  • Notable achievements: Sahitya Akademi Award, Kalaimamani award.

5. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan

  • Occupation: Lawyer and politician
  • Known for: His role in the Sri Lankan Civil War and his advocacy for Tamil rights
  • Notable achievements: Served as the leader of the Tamil Tigers

6. Sivanesan Sivachandran

  • Occupation: Lawyer and politician
  • Known for: His role in the Sri Lankan Civil War and his advocacy for Tamil rights
  • Notable achievements: Served as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka

7. Vijayakanth

  • Full Name – Vijayaraj
  • Occupation: An Indian film actor, producer and director.
  • Known for: His roles in Muthu and Vasantham.
  • Notable achievements: Tamil Nadu state government’s Kalaimamani award.
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8. Naseer Ahamed

  • Occupation: Indian businessman and politician
  • Known for: His role in the Sri Lankan Civil War and his advocacy for Tamil rights
  • Notable achievements: Served as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.

9. Rajendran

  • Full Name – Kasthuri Rajagopalan
  • Occupation: Lyricist, screenwriter and film director
  • Known for: His works in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu cinema.
  • Notable achievements: Honorary doctorate by Periyar University.

10. Shobana Chandrakumar

  • Occupation: Indian film actress and Bharathanatyam dancer
  • Known for: Her roles in Kannathil Muthamittal and Lal Salaam
  • Notable achievement: National Film Award for Best Actress
The Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora refers to the global diaspora of Sri Lankan Tamil origin. It can be said to be a subset of the larger Sri Lankan and Tamil diaspora. Like other diasporas, Sri Lankan Tamils are scattered and dispersed around the globe, with concentrations in South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Europe, Australia, United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Most Famous Sri lanka tamil People

Sri lanka tamil Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Sri Lanka Tamil community is a vibrant and diverse group with a rich cultural heritage. They are a minority ethnic group in Sri Lanka, comprising approximately 11% of the total population. The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has a long history dating back thousands of years, and their heritage is deeply intertwined with the island’s history.

Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Sri Lanka Tamil heritage:

  • The Ancient Tamil Kingdoms: The Sri Lanka Tamil community has strong ties to the ancient Tamil kingdoms that once ruled the island. The most prominent of these kingdoms was the Jaffna Kingdom, which flourished in the north of Sri Lanka from the 13th to the 17th century. The Jaffna Kingdom is known for its rich cultural and literary traditions, and many Tamil temples and historic sites can still be found in this region today.
  • Language and Literature: The Sri Lanka Tamil community has a distinct language and literature that has been preserved and passed down through generations. Tamil is one of the oldest languages in the world, with a rich literary tradition that dates back more than two thousand years. Tamil literature encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, prose, and drama, and has been an important form of artistic expression for the Sri Lanka Tamil community.
  • Hinduism and Religion: The Sri Lanka Tamil community is predominantly Hindu, with Hinduism being their primary religion. Hindu temples and religious practices play a central role in Tamil culture, and these places of worship are not only spiritual centers but also hubs of social and cultural activities. The Sri Lanka Tamil community celebrates various Hindu festivals with great fervor and devotion, further reinforcing their religious and cultural identity.
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The Sri Lanka Tamil community has made significant contributions to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of Sri Lanka. They have preserved and passed down their unique heritage through generations, ensuring that their traditions and customs are celebrated and remembered. The Sri Lanka Tamil community’s historical inheritances, including the ancient Tamil kingdoms, language and literature, and Hinduism and religion, continue to shape their identity and contribute to the diverse tapestry of Sri Lankan culture.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Fertit, Baka and Acholi roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

Ethnic Factsheet: The Sri lanka tamil People

Demographics Distribution
Total Population 3,037,349
Percentage of Sri Lanka’s Population 15.2%
Major Regions Northern Province, Eastern Province, Colombo District
Main Cities Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Colombo
Official Languages Tamil, Sinhala
Religions Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Traditional Occupations Agriculture, Fishing, Handicrafts
Ethnic Diversity Other ethnic groups include Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Moors, Indian Tamils
Sri Lankan Tamils (Tamil: இலங்கை தமிழர், ilankai tamiḻar or ஈழத் தமிழர், īḻat tamiḻar), also known as Ceylon Tamils or Eelam Tamils, are Tamils native to the South Asian island state of Sri Lanka. Today, they constitute a majority in the Northern Province, form the plurality in the Eastern Province and are in the minority throughout the rest of the country. 70% of Sri Lankan Tamils in Sri Lanka live in the Northern and Eastern provinces.Modern Sri Lankan Tamils descend from residents of the Jaffna Kingdom, a former kingdom in the north of Sri Lanka and Vannimai chieftaincies from the east. According to the anthropological and archaeological evidence, Sri Lankan Tamils have a very long history in Sri Lanka and have lived on the island since at least around the 2nd century BCE. The Sri Lankan Tamils are mostly Hindus with a significant Christian population. Sri Lankan Tamil literature on topics including religion and the sciences flourished during the medieval period in the court of the Jaffna Kingdom. Since the beginning of the Sri Lankan Civil War in the 1980s, it is distinguished by an emphasis on themes relating to the conflict. Sri Lankan Tamil dialects are noted for their archaism and retention of words not in everyday use in Tamil Nadu, India. Since Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948, relations between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamil communities have been strained. Rising ethnic and political tensions following the Sinhala Only Act, along with ethnic pogroms carried out by Sinhalese mobs in 1956, 1958, 1977, 1981 and 1983, led to the formation and strengthening of militant groups advocating independence for Tamils. The ensuing civil war resulted in the deaths of more than 100,000 people and the forced disappearance and rape of thousands of others. The civil war ended in 2009 but there are continuing allegations of atrocities being committed by the Sri Lankan military. A United Nations panel found that as many as 40,000 Tamil civilians may have been killed in the final months of the civil war. In January 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the estimated 20,000+ disappeared Sri Lankan Tamils were dead. The end of the civil war has not fully improved conditions in Sri Lanka, with press freedom not being restored and the judiciary coming under political control.One-third of Sri Lankan Tamils now live outside Sri Lanka. While there was significant migration during the British colonial era to Singapore and Malaysia, the civil war led to more than 800,000 Tamils leaving Sri Lanka, and many have left the country for destinations such as Canada, United Kingdom, Germany and India as refugees or emigrants. According to the pro-rebel TamilNet, the persecution and discrimination that Sri Lankan Tamils faced has resulted in some Tamils today not identifying themselves as Sri Lankans but instead identifying themselves as either Eelam Tamils, Ceylon Tamils, or simply Tamils. Many still support the idea of Tamil Eelam, a proposed independent state that Sri Lankan Tamils aspired to create in the North-East of Sri Lanka. Inspired by the Tamil Eelam flag, the tiger also used by the LTTE, has become a symbol of Tamil nationalism for some Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora.

The Ancient Heritage of Sri lanka tamil Ethnic Groups

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Sri lanka tamil Ethnicity: References and Resources

When it comes to learning about the Sri Lanka Tamil ethnic group, there are several references and resources that can help provide a deeper understanding. Whether you’re interested in their history, culture, language, or current issues, these sources offer valuable insights:

  • “The Sri Lanka Tamil Diaspora: A Quest for Political Identity” by Neloufer de Mel: This book explores the role of the Tamil diaspora in Sri Lanka’s conflict, providing an in-depth analysis of their political identity and activism.
  • “The Sri Lanka Reader: History, Culture, Politics” edited by John Clifford Holt: This anthology offers a comprehensive look at the history and culture of Sri Lanka, including sections dedicated to the Tamil community and their unique contributions.
  • “Land, Development, and Nationalism: Community Transformation in Sri Lanka” by S. P. Ponniah and D. W. Koralegadara: This book delves into the issues of land rights, development, and nationalism, highlighting the impact on various communities in Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lanka Tamils.
  • “Tamil Culture: Religion, Culture, and Literature” edited by K. Kailasapathy: This collection of essays provides valuable insights into Tamil culture, including religious practices, traditions, and their contributions to literature.
  • “Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology: Implications for Politics and Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka” by Laksiri Jayasuriya: This scholarly article explores the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist ideology, which has played a significant role in shaping the dynamics between different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lanka Tamils.

These references and resources offer a variety of perspectives and information about the Sri Lanka Tamil ethnic group, shedding light on their history, culture, and current issues. By delving into these sources, readers can gain a deeper understanding of this community’s rich heritage and the challenges they have faced.

As we continue to celebrate diversity and embrace the richness of different cultures, let us honor and draw inspiration from these remarkable individuals who have shaped our world. Thank you for joining us on this captivating journey.

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Syarif Muhamad

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