R. Sampanthan

Rasamanickam Sampanthan (March 5, 1933 – June 30, 2024) was a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politician who served as the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) party. He was a tireless advocate for Tamil rights and federal governance in Sri Lanka. Born in Point Pedro in the Northern Province, Sampanthan was a lawyer by profession who entered politics in the 1970s. He played a crucial role in maintaining the political representation of Tamils during and after the civil war. He was a member of parliament for over three decades and was known for his dignified and measured approach to politics. His death in 2024 marked the end of an era in Tamil politics in Sri Lanka.