List of Sri Lanka Tamils
This is a List of Tamils of Sri Lanka by their country of domicile or origin. All communities that speak Tamil or spoke Tamil and originally came from Sri Lanka are included. Tamils of Sri Lanka today are a trans-national minority and are found across the globe.
Sri Lanka
Academics
- A. Joseph Chandrakanthan - Founding head and first Senior Lecturer in the Department of Christian and Islamic Civilizations, University of Jaffna. Prominent Catholic scholar and theologian.
- Dr Selladurai Gunasingam - Historian and anthropologist. Visiting Professor at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA on a Fulbright academic award in 1980. History Lecturer at University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka from 1968 to 1980. Has many publications to his credit mainly on Trincomalee, including his famous book on "Koneswaram". Now living in London, UK.
- Dr. Rajan Hoole - Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of Jaffna. Human rights activist and author of books. Member of University Teachers for Human Rights.
- Dr. Ratnajeevan Hoole - Professor of Electrical Engineering. Appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna but never took up post due to threats.
- Karthigesu Indrapala - Historian from University of Jaffna, now living in Australia.
- K. Kailasapathi - First Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna.
- T. Nadaraja - Chancellor of the University of Jaffna. Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Ceylon.
- Rev. Fr. Peter Alcantara Pkokolkillai, OMI (1905–1964) - He was the top scholar in Sri Lanka with 3 Ph D's.
- S. Pathmanathan - Prominent historian best known for his expertise on the Kingdom of Jaffna.
- S. Raveendranath - Vice-Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
- Markandan Rubavathanan - Linguist and writer, Lecturer at Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka.
- Prof. S. Sandrasegaram - Dean of Faculty of Education, University of Colombo.[1]
- S. K. Sitrampalam - Prominent historian from University of Jaffna and author of books.
- R. Sivachandran - Dean faculty of Arts, Head of the Geography Department, Head, Dept of Sociology, University of Jaffna.
- K. Sivathamby - Emeritus professor of University of Jaffna. Prominent Tamil scholar, sociologist and author of books.
- Sachi Sri Kantha - inter-disciplinary biologist and author, now living in Japan..
- Prof.Dr.Selva Selvakumar-Acupunturist and author of Science of Auriculotherapy.
- X. Thaninayagam - Scholar, author and historian.
- Dr. Rajini Thiranagama - Murdered human rights activist and author of books. Head of the Department of Anatomy, University of Jaffna. Member of University Teachers for Human Rights.
- Alakaiah Thurairajah - Former Dean of Engineering Faculty, University of Peradeniya. Former Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna.
- T. Varagunam - Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
Activists
- Fr. Mary Bastian - Roman Catholic parish priest and human rights activist. Allegedly murdered by the Sri Lankan Army.
- Fr. Thiruchelvam Nihal Jim Brown - Roman Catholic parish priest and activist. Missing since August 20, 2006. He is presumed dead.
- Radhika Coommaraswamy – Human rights activist. Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
- Richard de Zoysa - Journalist, author, human rights activist and actor, who was abducted and murdered.
- Rev. Chandra Fernando - Roman Catholic parish priest, human rights activist and Batticaloa Citizens Committee member. Murdered.
- Dr. Rajan Hoole - Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of Jaffna. Human rights activist and author of books. Member of University Teachers for Human Rights.
- Kethesh Loganathan - Deputy Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat of the Government of Sri Lanka. Assassinated.
- Paris Sabalingam - Publisher and activist.[2]
- Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu - Director of Center for Policy Alternatives, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Dr. Rajini Thiranagama - Murdered human rights activist and author of books. Head of the Department of Anatomy, University of Jaffna. Member of University Teachers for Human Rights.
- Chelvy Thiyagarajah - Feminist and International PEN award winner.
Actors & directors
Athletes & sports people
- Russel Arnold - Sri Lankan cricketer.
- Muttiah Muralitharan - Sri Lankan cricketer.
- Angelo Mathews - Sri Lankan cricketer
- Vinothan John - Former Sri Lankan cricketer.
- V. S. Kumar Anandan (Azhikumaran Anandan) - Multiple Guinness World Records holder in swimming.
- Deepika Chanmugam - Elite swimmer. Bagged 7 gold medals at the 1991 South Asian Games.
- Dr. N. Ethirveerasingam - High jumper. Olympic Games and Asian Games - 1950s. Winner of Ceylon's first Gold Medal in international track and field competition (high jump, 1958 Asian Games).
- P. V. Gopalakrishnan - National table tennis player and Secretary of Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka.
- Muthiah Muralitharan - Sri Lankan cricketer. Leading Test wicket taker in the world.
- Sanjeev Paramanathan - Davis Cup tennis player.
- Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu - Former Sri Lankan cricket captain. The Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium was built in his honour.
- Mahadevan Sathasivam - One of the best cricket batsmen produced by Ceylon.
- Ravi Sathasivam - National and international spring board / platform diver - 1975 (SSC).
- Umesh Walloopillai - Davis Cup tennis player.
- Vinothan John - Former NCC and Sri Lankan test cricketer/opening fast medium bowler
- Sridharan Jeganathan - Former NCC and Sri Lankan test cricketer/off spin bowler ( expired on May 14, 1996). First Sri Lankan test crcketer to die
- Roy Luke Dias - Former Sri Lankan test cricketer/vice captain - A Tamil of Negombo Chetty
- Sanjayan Thuraisingham - Colombo born Tamil Canadian cricketer
- Ravi Puvendran - Colombo born Canadian cricketer
- Jeya Kanaganayagam - Jaffna central, Ceylon Schools and Singapore cricketer
- R.Naguleswaran - Former ceylon cricketer
Authors, writers, poets & artists
Business people
- Ken Balendra - Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive, who holds and has held many corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region.
- Subramaniam Mahadevan - One of the two founders of Sri Lankan conglomerate Capital Maharaja.
- Sangarasivam Ponnudurai - A business magnate from Kokuvil in the 1970s and 1980s who was stabbed to death and burnt in his own car in Colombo during the 1983 riots.
- Sinnathamby Rajandram - One of the two founders of Sri Lankan conglomerate Capital Maharaja.
- Chandran Rutnam - Film maker and owner of Lionair.
- Ratna Sivaratnam - Retired Chairman/CEO/Managing Director of Aitken Spence - a leading blue chip conglomerate in Sri Lanka.
Civil servants
- Sir Velupillai Coomaraswamy, CMG, CCS - Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs and Defence.
- V. Parameswaran, SLAS - former Senior Deputy Rubber Controller, Rubber Control Department of Sri Lanka.
- Nataraja Vamadeva - Former Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Additional Secretary Ministry of Trade and Shipping, Chairman of Urban Development Authority, Chairman Fertilizer Corporation, Commissioner of Marketing Department.
Historical figures
Journalists & broadcasters
Lawyers & judges
Militants & rebels
Military
- Lieutenant Colonel Wilmot Selvanayagam Abrahams, MC, MBE - Commanding Officer, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Ceylon Artillery
- Air Vice Marshal Ravi Arunthavanathan - Former Deputy Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Air Force and current Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence[10]
- Major General Y. Balaretnarajah, VSV, USP, ndc, SLAC - Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army (June 10, 1992 - September 30, 1992).[11][12]
- Colonel T. Balendran
- Rear Admiral Rajan Kadiragamar, MVO, RCyN - former Captain of the Sri Lanka Navy
- Major Selvanathan Kadirgamar - One of the first two Sri Lankan officers to attend Staff College, Camberley.[11]
- Colonel R. Kumaranayagam, ED, SLLI - Deputy Commandant of the Ceylon Army Volunteer Force and Served in the Ceylon Light Infantry during World War II.[11]
- Air Vice Marshal A. Kumaresan, RSP, USP, psc, SLAF - current Director Planning, Sri Lanka Air Force.
- Major General Anton Muttukumaru, OBE, ED, ADC, CLI - first Ceylonese Commander of the Sri Lanka Army
- Air Commodore C. E. Puvimanasinghe - former Director Health Services.[13]
- Squadron Leader Mahendra Situnayake - Squadron Commander in the Royal Ceylon Air Force and in the Royal Air Force[14]
- Major General T. Sivashanmugam, USP[15]
- Brigadier R. T. Thambaiah[11]
- Major General E. G. Thevanayagam, VSV - Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (1984–1986).[11]
- Major General Chelliah Thurairaja, USP, SLMC - former Director Army Medical Services and Colonel Commandant Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps.
Musicians & singers
- A. K. Karunakaran - Prominent classical music literate (Popular Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation - Karnatic music).
- Krishan Maheson - Hip hop artist.
- A. E. Manoharan - Popular Baila singer/composer.
- Kumar Navaratnam - Pop singer.
- Pararajasingam - Popular folk singer/composer.
- Thirumurai Chemmani P. V. Raman - Carnatic Musician and Thevarm Othuvar, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation .
- Poongothai Ratnavadivel - Up and coming Carnatic musician.
- Siva Kaneswaran - One of the five members of British boy band The Wanted
Police officers
- T. E. Anandaraja - former Inspector General of Police (IGP)
- T. I. Bastiampillai - Inspector of Police, CID
- P. Mahendran - former Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Northern Range
- Rudra Rajasingham - former Inspector General of Police (IGP)
- T.Ganesanathan - Dupety Inspector-General of Police, Colombo Range
- S. Vamadevan - Dupety Inspector-General of Police
- R.C. Thavaraja - Superintendent of Police
Politicians
Religious figures
- Sivath Thamizh Chelvi Thangamma Appakuddy - Hindu preacher and reformer
- Arumuka Navalar - Hindu reformer and author of books from Jaffna.
- Remo Samuel - Hindu preacher and Tamil comedian.
- Swami Vipulananda - Hindu reformer and author of books.
- Yogaswami - Hindu ascetic from Jaffna.
Australia
Academics
- Dr S. Jegasothy - VIT
- Dr Kandarajah - University of Western Sydney
- Dr S. Mahendrarajah - Australian National University
- Dr Rajeswaran
- Dr Ravindrarajah
- Dr Minalini Lakshman (at the Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital,Torornto,Canada)
- Dr Sivananthan Sarasanandarajah - Royal Adelaide Hospital Campus, The University of Adelaide
Activists
Business people
- Maha Sinnathamby - Renowned property developer and is the man behind Australia's largest real estate project. Frequently listed in BRW's annual list of the 200 richest Australians.
Singers
- Kamahl (Kandiah Kamalesvaran) - Prominent singer.
Canada
Academics
- Dr. Rudhramoorthy Cheran - University of Windsor.[16]
- Elagu V. Elaguppillai - Academic, researcher, entrepreneur and politician.
- Chelva Kanaganayakam - Director, Centre for South Asian Studies, Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto.[17]
- Dr. T. Kirubarajan - Professor and Canada Research Chair in Information Fusion, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, McMaster University.
- Arvind Magesan - Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of Calgary.
- Sri Ranjan Ramanathan - Professor, Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba.
- Indira Samarasekera (née Rutnam) - President of University of Alberta.
- Andrew Sarangan - Professor of Electro-Optics in Dayton, Ohio.[18]
- A. Thavaneswaran - Professor, Department of Statistics, University of Manitoba.
- Ravi Vaitheespara - Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Manitoba.
- Alfred Jeyaratnam Wilson - Peace maker, politician and author of books on Sri Lanka.[19] Son-in-law of S. J. V. Chelvanayakam.
Actors & directors
Athletes & sports people
Authors, writers, poets & artists
- Rebecca Nada Rajah - Playwright of The Constant K Determines the Ultimate Fate of the Universe.
- Shyam Selvadurai - Author of Funny Boy and Cinnamon Gardens.
- A. Sivanandan - Author of When Memory Dies, and editor of the journal Race and Class.[22]
Business people
- Sayan Navaratnam - Chairman of the Board, Creative Vistas Incorporated.
- Roy Ratnavel - Senior Vice President, CI Investments, second largest independent investment fund company in Canada and a subsidiary of CI Financial.
- Kajendran Selvachandiran - President and CEO , Brown Movementz Productionz Inc., one of Canada's largest media and concert production company.
- Ratnam Navaratnam - Water Resources Engineer and Resident of Oshawa, ON
Journalists & broadcasters
Politicians
India
Academics
- Jebaratnam J. Hensman - Registrar of the University of Madras, India.
- Kamala Satthianadhan - First woman in the South to get a B.A. degree (in 1898).
- Raibahadur Williamspillai - Inspector of Schools, South India and Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Madras Educational Department.[23]
Actors & directors
Authors, writers, poets & artists
- Kasi Anandan - Poet laureate
- Rev. Father Xavier Thaninayagam Adigalar (1913–1980) - Founder member of the International Association for Tamil Research, from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
- Rohini Hensman - author of the book, Playing Lions and Tigers.
- V. Kanakasabhai - Lawyer, historian and Dravidologist of Sri Lankan Tamil descent.
Politician
- Ariyangampillai - Associate of Mahatma Gandhi.[24]
- Mona (Mitter) Hensman - For 15 years principal of Ethiraj College, from 1937 to 1952 a nominated Member of the State Legislative Council and, after that, a member of the Rajya Sabha for three terms.
- Dr. E. M. V. Naganathan - One of the founders of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (Federal Party). Member of Parliament.
Others
- Chandrahasan - Son of S. J. V. Chelvanayakam.
- A. C. (Dorai) Hensman - One of the first non-English Deputy Superintendents of Police.
- Dr. H. S. Hensman - The first Indian Superintendent of the Mental Health Hospital, Ayanavaram.[25]
- J. E. Hensman - Chief engineer of the Corporation of Madras.[25]
- Paul M. Jayarajan (Marcus Jayarajan Paul) - Appointed to the Madras cadre of the Indian Civil Service and took up his first posting in 1933 as Assistant Collector and Magistrate of Malabar District.[26]
- Yasmin Tambiah - Director at the Centre for Feminist Legal Research, New Delhi, & author.[27]
Malaysia
Academics
Athletes & sports people
- Punch Gunalan - Former national badminton player and IBF Executive Deputy President.
- Dato Dr. M. Jegathesan - Former Malaysian athlete, known as the 'Flying Doctor'.
- Mahadevan Sathasivam - Former captain of the Malaysian cricket team.
Authors, writers, poets & artists
- Manicasothy Saravanamuttu - Editor of The Straits Echo in Malaya (1931–1941) credited with 'saving' Penang during Japanese invasion in 1941. He is the author of The Sara Saga.
- Rani Manicka - Writer.
Business people
- Vijay Eswaran - Group MD and CEO of the QI Group of companies.
- Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam - Executive chairman of Westport. Ranked 29th in the 2007 Forbes Asia List of the 40 Richest Malaysians.
- Tan Sri T. Ananda Krishnan – Malaysia's richest man and 62nd Richest Man in the world according to the 2009 Forbes Billionaire List.
- Bastianpillai Paul Nicholas - the first non-British businessman who endeavoured to become one of the top bankers in the then Malaya.
Civil servants
- S. Kulasingam - Retired Asst. Commissioner of Police.
- Tan Sri Dr Ramon Navaratnam - Prominent Malaysian economist.
- Dr S. S. Thiruchelvam - First Asian surgeon in the world.
Politicians
New Zealand
Academics
Singapore
Academics
- Prof Philip Jeyaretnam – Professor of Law and Member, Public Service Commission.
- Prof Sittampalam Shanmugaratnam - Prominent former Head, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the National University of Singapore.
- Prof S. Shanmugaratnam - Prominent former Head, Department of Pathology at the National University of Singapore.
Authors, writers, poets & artists
Business people
- J. Y. M. Pillay - Chairman, Singapore Exchange (stock market).[29]
Civil Servants
- Alfred Victor Winslow - Former Solicitor General and former Supreme Court Judge
- A.P. Rajah - Former Supreme Court Judge
- T. Kulasekaram - Former Supreme Court Judge
- P. Coomaraswamy - Former Supreme Court Judge
- M. Karthigesu - Former Supreme Court Judge
- K. S. Rajah - Former Supreme Court Judge
Politicians
UK
Academics
- Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam - Professor, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, University of Leeds.
- S. Sabanathan - Prominent thoracic surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary.[30]
- Ganesh Sittampalam- Guinness World Record Holder as the youngest person in the UK to pass an A-Level in 1988, having been aged only nine years and four months old at the time.
Activist
Athletes & sports people
Business people
- Dr. Arjuna Sittampalam - investment banker and currently the Chairman of the investment company, Sage and Hermes, Ltd. in U.K.
- Suresh Sivarajah - Global investment specialist in everything from gold and diamonds to debt/equity finance and commercial property. CEO of Esaren International, and creator of the non-profit org Mission Around the World. Educated at Wellington College, Berkshire.
Musicians & singers
Journalists & broadcasters
USA
Academics
- Rev. Dr. Rama Coomaraswamy - Prominent Cardiac Surgeon, Chief of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at Stamford Hospital, Connecticut and writer on Traditionalist Catholicism and Perennialist topics.
- Valentine Daniel - Professor of Anthropology at Columbia University and author of several books.[31]
- Neil DeVotta - Professor of Political Science at Hartwick College and author of several books on Sri Lanka.[32]
- George Fernandez - Professor of Applied Statistics, Director of UNR Center for Research Design and Analysis and the Author of Data Mining using SAS applications - CRC press.[33][34][35]
- Associate Professor Mahendran Mahadevan - Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
- Murugesu Sivapalan - Professor at University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and winner of the John Dalton Medal by the European Geophysical Society for Distinguished Research in Hydrology .;[36] Recipient of International Hydrology Prize 2010.[37] and the Hydrological Sciences Award of the American Geophysical Union 2010.;[38] and Winner of the Robert E. Horton Medal of the American Geophysical Union, 2011, the highest and most prestigious award for hydrology, worldwide .[39]
- Prof. Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah - Retired Harvard University professor of Anthropology and author of several books.
Business people
Musicians & singers
Politicians
See also
References
- ^ University of Colombo website
- ^ UTHR
- ^ a b Ananda K. Coomaraswamy:From Geology to philosophia perennis
- ^ Mattakkalappu-Varalaru
- ^ Kunarasa, K The Jaffna Dynasty, p.82-84
- ^ Gnanaprakasar, S A critical history of Jaffna, p.113-117
- ^ Abeysinghe, T Jaffna Under the Portuguese, p.58-63
- ^ Gnanaprakasar, S A critical history of Jaffna, p.153-172
- ^ Sri Lanka - Literature Encarta article reads: "The earliest known Sri Lankan Tamil poet was Eelattu Poothanthevanar, whose poems were included in the Tamil cankam (sangam) poetry anthologies compiled in southern India before 250 AD.". Archived 2009-10-31.
- ^ Ravi : Versatile sportsman, Administrator,
- ^ a b c d e f Army, Sri Lanka (October 1999). Sri Lanka Army, "50 YEARS ON" - 1949-1999 (1st Edition ed.). Colombo: Sri Lanka Army. ISBN 995-8089-02-8.
- ^ Major General Y Balaretnarajah VSV USP ndc
- ^ Dr. C.E. Puvimanasinghe
- ^ Lankan boy wins computer schol
- ^ EX-SERVICES NEWS
- ^ Dr. Rudhramoorthy Cheran | Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology - University of Windsor
- ^ Department of English - University of Toronto
- ^ <[1]
- ^ <[2]
- ^ Film Collection - National Film Board of Canada - Blood and Water
- ^ Tennis: Sonya Jeyaseelan
- ^ Literary Encyclopedia: When Memory Dies
- ^ Ceylon Tamils
- ^ The Hindu : 766 kilometres from somewhere
- ^ a b http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2004/03/29/stories/2004032900220300.htm
- ^ Centre of South Asian Studies, Cambridge
- ^ [3]
- ^ "Sivarasa Wins!". http://www.sivarasa4subang.com/site/archives/86. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ^ Pioneers Of Singapore
- ^ http://www.patent.gov.uk/patent/legal/decisions/2001/o03701.pdf
- ^ faculty
- ^ [4]
- ^ Home Page of Prof George Fernandez
- ^ University of Nevada Reno Center for Research Design and Analysis - CRDA
- ^ Data mining using SAS applications - book web site
- ^ EGS Awards -Henry Darcy Medal - 2002
- ^ Sivapalan
- ^ Murugesu Sivapalan Receives 2010 Hydrologic Sciences Award (AGU)
- ^ [5]; to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands on January 10, 2012 [6]