R. Sampanthan: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
Article Images
Line 1:
{{shortShort description|Sri Lankan Tamil politician and lawyer (born 19331933–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 20202024}}
{{Indian name|Sampanthan|Rajavarothiam}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[The= Honourable|Hon.]]
| name = R. Sampanthan
| native_name = {{lang|tanobold|இரா. சம்பந்தன்}}
| native_name_lang = ta
| honorific-suffix = [[Member of Parliament|MP]]
| image = R. Sampanthan.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Sampanthan in November 2013
| office1 = 14th [[Leader of the Opposition (Sri Lanka)|Leader of the Opposition]]
| president1 = [[Maithripala Sirisena]]
| primeminister1 = [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] <br> [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]disputed
| predecessor1 = [[Nimal Siripala De Silva]]
| successor1 = [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]
| term_start1 = 3 September 2015
| term_end1 = 18 December 2018
| office2 = Leader of the [[Tamil National Alliance]]
| predecessor2 = =
| successor2 = =
| term_start2 = 2001
| term_end2 = 30 June 2024
| constituency_MP3 = [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]]
| parliament3 = Sri Lankan
| term_start3 = 5 December 2001
| term_end3 = 30 June 2024
| predecessor3 = =
| successor3 = [[K. S. Kugathasan]]
| majority3 = 33,834
| term_start4 = 1997
| term_end4 = 18 August 2000
| predecessor4 = [[Arunasalam Thangathurai]]
| successor4 = =
| majority4 = =
| constituency_MP5 = [[Trincomalee Electoral District (1947–1989)|Trincomalee]]
| parliament5 = Sri Lankan
| term_start5 = 21 July 1977
| term_end5 = 7 September 1983
| predecessor5 = [[B. Neminathan]]
| successor5 = =
| majority5 = 15,144
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1933|02|05|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Trincomalee]], [[British Ceylon]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|06|30|1933|02|05|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka
| citizenship =
| nationality = [[Sri Lanka]]nLankan
| party = [[Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi]]
| otherparty = [[Tamil National Alliance]]
| spouse = =
| partner = =
| relations = =
| children =
| residence = =
| alma_mater = [[Ceylon Law College]]
| occupation = =
| profession = Lawyer
| website =
| footnotes =
| blank1 = Ethnicity
| data1 = [[Sri Lankan Tamil people|Sri Lankan Tamil]]
}}
'''Rajavarothiam Sampanthan''' ({{lang-ta|இராஜவரோதயம் சம்பந்தன்}}; {{lang-si|රාජවරෝදියම් සම්බන්දන්}}; born 5 February 1933) is a [[Sri Lankan Tamil people|Sri Lankan Tamil]] politician and lawyer who has led the [[Tamil National Alliance]] since 2001. He has also been a Member of Parliament since 2001, and previously served as a Member of Parliament from 1977 to 1983 and from 1997 to 2000. He was the [[Leader of the Opposition (Sri Lanka)|Leader of the Opposition]] from September 2015 to December 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sampanthan-chosen-as-new-leader-of-the-opposition/ | title=Sampanthan Chosen As New Leader Of The Opposition | publisher=Colombo Telegraph | date=3 September 2015 | access-date=3 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/09/03/ethnic-tamil-lawmaker-becomes-opposition-leader-in-sri-lanka-for-first-time-in/ | title=Ethnic Tamil lawmaker becomes opposition leader in Sri Lanka for first time in decades | publisher=[[Fox News]] | date=3 September 2015 | access-date=3 September 2015}}</ref>▼
▲'''Rajavarothiam Sampanthan''' ({{lang-ta|இராஜவரோதயம் சம்பந்தன்}}; {{lang-si|රාජවරෝදියම් සම්බන්දන්}}; born 5 February 1933) is– a30 [[SriJune Lankan2024) Tamilwas a people|Sri Lankan Tamil]] politician and lawyer who has led the [[Tamil National Alliance]] sincefrom 2001. Heuntil hashis alsodeath beenin 2024. He was a Member of Parliament sincefrom 2001 until his death, and previously served as a Member of Parliament from 1977 to 1983 and from 1997 to 2000. He was the [[Leader of the Opposition (Sri Lanka)|Leader of the Opposition]] from September 2015 to December 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sampanthan-chosen-as-new-leader-of-the-opposition/ | title=Sampanthan Chosen As New Leader Of The Opposition | publisher=Colombo Telegraph | date=3 September 2015 | access-date=3 September 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906082233/https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sampanthan-chosen-as-new-leader-of-the-opposition/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/09/03/ethnic-tamil-lawmaker-becomes-opposition-leader-in-sri-lanka-for-first-time-in/ | title=Ethnic Tamil lawmaker becomes opposition leader in Sri Lanka for first time in decades | publisher=[[Fox News]] | date=3 September 2015 | access-date=3 September 2015}}</ref>
==Early life and family==
Sampanthan was born 5 February 1933.<ref name=PoS>{{cite web|title=Directory of Members: Rajavarothiam Sampanthan|url=http://www.parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/309|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]}}</ref><ref name=Arumugam>{{cite book|last=Arumugam|first=S.|title=Dictionary of Biography of the Tamils of Ceylon|url=http://noolaham.net/project/19/1810/1810.pdf|year=1997|pages=173–174|author-link=S. Arumugam}}</ref> He is the son of A. Rajavarothiam, Superintendent of Stores at the Gal Oya Project.<ref name=Arumugam/> Sampanthan is related to [[S. Sivapalan]] and [[N. R. Rajavarothiam]] both of whom were MPs for Trincomalee.<ref name=SO290608>{{cite news|title=Who is Rajavarothayam Sampanthan|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/06/29/pol06.asp|work=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)]]|date=29 June 2008}}</ref> He was educated at [[St. Patrick's College, Jaffna]], [[St. Anne's College, Kurunegala]], [[St. Joseph's College, Trincomalee]] and [[St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa]].<ref name=Arumugam/><ref name=SO290608/> After school he joined [[Ceylon Law College]], graduating as an [[attorney at law]].<ref name=Arumugam/><ref name=SO290608/>▼
==Background==
Sampanthan married Leeladevi, daughter of P. K. Rudra.<ref name=Arumugam/> They have two sons (Sanjeevan and Senthuran) and one daughter (Krishanthini).<ref name=Arumugam/>
▲Sampanthan was born on 5 February 1933.<ref name=PoS>{{cite web|title=Directory of Members: Rajavarothiam Sampanthan|url=http://www.parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/309|publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924082442/http://www.parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/309|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Arumugam>{{cite book|last=Arumugam|first=S.|title=Dictionary of Biography of the Tamils of Ceylon|url=http://noolaham.net/project/19/1810/1810.pdf|year=1997|pages=173–174|author-link=S. Arumugam|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://noolaham.net/project/19/1810/1810.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> He iswas the son of A. Rajavarothiam, Superintendent of Stores at the Gal Oya Project.<ref name=Arumugam/> Sampanthan iswas related to [[S. Sivapalan]] and [[N. R. Rajavarothiam]] both of whom were MPs for Trincomalee.<ref name=SO290608>{{cite news|title=Who is Rajavarothayam Sampanthan|url=httphttps://wwwarchives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/06/29/pol06.asp|work=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)]]|date=29 June 2008|access-date=20 April 2024|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203074456/http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/06/29/pol06.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> He was educated at [[St. Patrick's College, Jaffna]], [[St. Anne's College, Kurunegala]], [[St. Joseph's College, Trincomalee]] and [[St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa]].<ref name=Arumugam/><ref name=SO290608/> After school he joined [[Ceylon Law College]], graduating as an [[attorney at law]].<ref name=Arumugam/><ref name=SO290608/> After qualifying, Sampanthan [[Practice of law|practised law]] in [[Trincomalee]].<ref name=SO290608/>
Sampanthan married Leeladevi, daughter of P. K. Rudra.<ref name=Arumugam/> They had two sons (Sanjeevan and Senthuran) and one daughter (Krishanthini).<ref name=Arumugam/> R. Sampanthan died at a private hospital on 30 June 2024, at the age of 91.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Former-TNA-Leader-R-Sampanthan-no-more/108-286102 |title=Former TNA Leader R. Sampanthan no more |access-date=30 June 2024 |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630192339/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Former-TNA-Leader-R-Sampanthan-no-more/108-286102 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Career==
==Political career==
[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Tamil National Alliance Leader Sampanthan During Visit to Sri Lanka (16732261963).jpg|thumb|left|[[United States Secretary of State|U. S. Secretary of State]] [[John Kerry]] meets Sampanthan in May 2015.]]
After qualifying Sampanthan [[Practice of law|practised law]] in [[Trincomalee]].<ref name=SO290608/>
Sampanthan joined the [[Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi]]'s (Federal Party) in 1956.<ref name=PoS/><ref name=Arumugam/> ITAK leader [[S. J. V. Chelvanayakam]] offered Sampanthan [[nomination]] in 1963 and 1970 but Sampanthan declined.<ref name=SO290608/>
On 14 May 1972, the ITAK, [[All Ceylon Tamil Congress]] (ACTC), [[Ceylon Workers' Congress]], Eelath Thamilar Otrumai Munnani and All Ceylon Tamil Conference formed the [[Tamil United Front]], later renamed [[Tamil United Liberation Front]] (TULF).<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Ross|editor1-first=Russell R.|editor2-last=Savada|editor2-first=Andrea Matles|title=Sri Lanka : A Country Study|date=1990|publisher=[[Library of Congress]]|page=51|url=http://cdn.loc.gov/master/frd/frdcstdy/sr/srilankacountrys00ross/srilankacountrys00ross.pdf|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=15 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215191148/http://cdn.loc.gov/master/frd/frdcstdy/sr/srilankacountrys00ross/srilankacountrys00ross.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Chattopadhyaya|first1=Haraprasad|title=Ethnic Unrest in Modern Sri Lanka: An Account of Tamil-Sinhalese Race Relations|date=1994|publisher=M. D. Publications|isbn=81-85880-52-2|page=33|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MRU6QKPBTFQC}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Amarasinghe|first1=Samanga|title=Independence to Referendum|date=2011|publisher=Lulu Enterprises|isbn=978-1-105-01908-1|page=188|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iV6AAwAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Rajasingham|first=K. T.|title=Sri Lanka: The Untold Story|url=http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/DA19Df06.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020213084644/http://atimes.com/ind-pak/DA19Df06.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=2002-02-13 February 2002|chapter=Chapter 23: Srimavo's constitutional promiscuity}}</ref> Sampanthan was the TULF's candidate in [[Trincomalee Electoral District (1947–1989)|Trincomalee]] at the [[1977 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1977 parliamentary election]]. He won the election and entered [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]].<ref name=pe77>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/General%20Election%201977.PDF|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1977|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717002624/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/General%20Election%201977.PDF|archive-date=2011-07-17 July 2011}}</ref> Sampanthan and all other TULF MPs boycotted Parliament from the middle of 1983 for a number of reasons: they were under pressure from [[Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups|Sri Lankan Tamil militants]] not to stay in Parliament beyond their normal six-year term; the Sixth Amendment to the [[Constitution of Sri Lanka]] required them to swear an oath unconditionally renouncing support for a [[Tamil Eelam|separate state]]. After three months of absence, Sampanthan forfeited his seat in Parliament on 7 September 1983.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wickramasinghe|first=Wimal|title=Saga of crossovers, expulsions and resignations etc. Referendum for {{sic|exten|tion|nolink=y}} of Parliament|url=http://www.island.lk/2008/01/18/features11.html|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=18 January 2008|access-date=17 July 2011|archive-date=17 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617063609/http://www.island.lk/2008/01/18/features11.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sampanthan served as joint treasurer, vice president and general secretary of TULF.<ref name=PoS/>
Sampanthan was one of the [[Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front|ENDLF]]/[[Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front|EPRLF]]/[[Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization|TELO]]/TULF alliance's candidates in the [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] at the [[1989 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1989 parliamentary election]] but the alliance failed to win any seats in the district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1989%20GENERAL%20ELECTION.PDF|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1989|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090304101343/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1989%20GENERAL%20ELECTION.PDF|archive-date=4 March 2009-03-04}}</ref><ref name=deSilva182>{{cite book|last1=de Silva|first1=W. P. P.|last2=Ferdinando|first2=T. C. L.|title=9th Parliament of Sri Lanka|publisher=[[Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited]]|page=182|url=http://noolaham.net/project/148/14715/14715.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623233447/http://noolaham.net/project/148/14715/14715.pdf|archive-date=2015-06-23 June 2015}}</ref> He was one of the TULF's candidates in Trincomalee District at the [[1994 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1994 parliamentary election]] but failed to get re-elected after coming second amongst the TULF candidates.<ref>{{cite news|title=Trinco awaits nomination|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/970824/newsm.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=24 August 1997|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134334/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/970824/newsm.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he re-entered Parliament in 1997 following the assassination of [[A. Thangathurai]] on 5 July 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=TNA's Sampanthan is 2nd Tamil to be Leader of Opposition|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/thumb/epaper-images/51668.jpg|work=[[Ceylon Today]]|agency=[[Press Association]]|date=4 September 2015|page=A4|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224453/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/thumb/epaper-images/51668.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramakrishnan|first1=T.|title=TNA’sTNA's Sampanthan becomes opposition leader in Sri Lankan parliament|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lankan-parliament-recognises-tamil-national-alliances-r-sampanthan-as-opposition-leader/article7611560.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=3 September 2015|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726012502/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lankan-parliament-recognises-tamil-national-alliances-r-sampanthan-as-opposition-leader/article7611560.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He was one of the TULF's candidates in Trincomalee District at the [[2000 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2000 parliamentary election]] but the TULF failed to win any seats in the district.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ferdinando|first1=Shamindra|title=Sampanthan asks police to probe Mahindapura massacre|url=http://www.island.lk/2000/10/08/news05.html|work=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=8 October 2000|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102044/http://www.island.lk/2000/10/08/news05.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TULF candidates for Trincomalee decided|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=5341|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 August 2000|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=1 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701062151/https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=5341|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/District2000/district2000trinco.html|title=Parliamentary General Election 10.10.2000 -– Trincomalee District|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805165336/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/District2000/district2000trinco.html|archive-date=5 August 2012-08-05}}</ref>
On 20 October 2001, the ACTC, [[Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front]], [[Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization]] and TULF formed the [[Tamil National Alliance]] (TNA).<ref name=DM040410>{{cite news|last1=Jeyaraj|first1=D. B. S.|author-link1=|title=Tamil National Alliance enters critical third phase -– 1|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/opinion1/6933.html|work=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404042520/http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/opinion1/6933.html|archive-date=4 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tamil parties sign MOU|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=6400|newspaper=[[TamilNet]]|date=20 October 2001|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028071258/https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=6400|url-status=live}}</ref> Sampanthan became the leader of the TNA. Sampanthan contested the [[2001 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2001 parliamentary election]] as one of the TNA's candidates in Trincomalee District. He was elected and re-entered Parliament.<ref name=pe01>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/preference2001GE.pdf|title=General Election 2001 Preferences|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115735/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/preference2001GE.pdf|archive-date=2015-09-24 September 2015}}</ref>
Soon after its formation, the TNA began to maketake a more pro-[[Tamil Tiger]] stance, recognising the Tigers as the sole representative of the Sri Lankan Tamils. This caused a split within the TULF. Some members of the TULF, led by its president [[V. Anandasangaree]], were opposed to the Tigers. Anandasangaree refused to allow the TNA to use the TULF name during the 2004 parliamentary election.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=11340|title=Objection against TNA using HOUSE symbol rejected|date=28 February 2004|publisher=[[TamilNet]]|access-date=28 February 2010|archive-date=1 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301092446/http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=11340|url-status=live}}</ref> This caused the members of TULF who wished to remain with the TNA, led by Sampanthan, to resurrect the Illankai [[Tamil Arasu Kachchi]] political party.<ref name=DM180513>{{cite news|last1=Jeyaraj|first1=D. B. S.|author-link1=|title=Tamil National Alliance Faces Acute Political Crisis|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/29624/tamil-national-alliance-faces-acute-political-crisis|work=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=18 May 2013|access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=2 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702045449/https://www.dailymirror.lk/29624/tamil-national-alliance-faces-acute-political-crisis|url-status=live}}</ref> Sampanthan became the new leader of the ITAK.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mavai elected as ITAK’sITAK's new leader|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140907/news/mavai-elected-as-itaks-new-leader-116851.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=7 September 2014|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-date=1 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701062203/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/140907/news/mavai-elected-as-itaks-new-leader-116851.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mavai replaces Sampanthan as ITAK leader|url=http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=12123|work=[[Tamil Guardian]]|date=6 September 2014|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113056/http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=12123|url-status=live}}</ref>
Sampanthan was re-elected in the [[2004 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2004]], [[2010 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2010]] and [[2015 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2015]] parliamentary elections.<ref name=pe04>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Preference2004GE.pdf|title=General Election 2004 Preferences|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304015514/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Preference2004GE.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2010-03-04}}</ref><ref name=pe10>{{cite web|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/GE2010_preferences/Trincomalee_pref_GE2010.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100513034918/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/GE2010_preferences/Trincomalee_pref_GE2010.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 May 2010-05-13|title=Parliamentary General Election -– 2010 Trincomalee Preferences|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Aug/1928_03/1928_03%20E.pdf|date=19 August 2015|title=PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT, No. 1 OF 1981|journal=[[The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka]] Extraordinary|volume=1928/03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223730/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Aug/1928_03/1928_03%20E.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ranil tops with over 500,000 votes in Colombo|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/83949/ranil-tops-with-over-500-000-votes-in-colombo|work=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=19 August 2015|access-date=19 August 2015|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101125637/https://www.dailymirror.lk/83949/ranil-tops-with-over-500-000-votes-in-colombo|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Preferential Votes|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=political/preferential-votes-2|work=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)]]|date=19 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150820025307/http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=political/preferential-votes-2|archive-date=20 August 2015}}</ref> During the [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election]], the TNA, under his leadership, decided to back [[Maithripala Sirisena]] as the common opposition candidate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/interview/we-cant-despair-we-cant-abandon-things/article22354034.ece|title=We can't despair, we can't abandon things, says Sri Lanka's R. Sampanthan|last=Srinivasan|first=Meera|date=3 January 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=4 August 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109043453/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/interview/we-cant-despair-we-cant-abandon-things/article22354034.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Sirisena went on to win the election, succeeding incumbent president [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]. Following the [[2015 Sri Lankan parliamentary election]], the [[Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka|Speaker of the Parliament]] recognised Sampanthan as [[Leader of the Opposition (Sri Lanka)|Leader of the Opposition]] on 3 September 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sampanthan new opposition leader|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/85819/sampanthan-new-opposition-leader|work=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=3 September 2015|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=7 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107100117/http://www.dailymirror.lk/85819/sampanthan-new-opposition-leader|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=R. Sampanthan appointed Opposition Leader|url=http://nation.lk/online/2015/09/03/r-sampanthan-appointed-opposition-leader/|work=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=3 September 2015|access-date=5 September 2015|archive-date=27 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927210719/http://nation.lk/online/2015/09/03/r-sampanthan-appointed-opposition-leader/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tamil MP Sampanthan to lead Sri Lanka opposition|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34136684|work=[[BBC News]]|date=3 September 2015}}</ref>|access-date=21 DuringJune the2018|archive-date=21 [[2015November Sri Lankan presidential election]], the TNA, under his leadership, decided to back [[Maithripala Sirisena]] as the common opposition candidate.<ref>{{Cite news2016|archive-url=https://wwwweb.thehinduarchive.comorg/opinionweb/interview20161121065616/we-cant-despair-we-cant-abandon-thingshttp:/article22354034/www.ece|title=We can’t despair, we can’t abandon things, says Sri Lanka’s Rbbc. Sampanthan|last=Srinivasan|first=Meera|date=2018co.uk/news/world-01asia-0334136684|work=The Hindu|accessurl-datestatus=2019-08-04|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751Xlive}}</ref> Sirisena went on to win the election and became the president replacing the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa.
===Electoral history===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|+ Electoral history of R. Sampanthan
Line 93 ⟶ 94:
! scope=col|Votes
! scope=col|Result
! scope=col|Sources
|-
| [[1977 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1977 parliamentary]]<ref name=pe77/> || [[Trincomalee Electoral District (1947–1989)|Trincomalee]] || [[Tamil United Liberation Front|TULF]] || align=right|{{Nts|15144}} || '''Elected'''||<ref name=pe77/>
|-
| [[1989 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1989 parliamentary]]<ref name=deSilva182/> || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil United Liberation Front|TULF]] || align=right|{{Nts|6048}} || Not elected||<ref name=deSilva182/>
|-
| [[1994 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1994 parliamentary]] || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil United Liberation Front|TULF]] || align=right|{{Nts|19525}} || Not elected||<ref>{{cite news|title=Sampanthan for Trinco|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/970713/news2.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 July 1997}}</ref> ||access-date=5 [[TrincomaleeSeptember Electoral District2015|Trincomaleearchive-date=24 District]]September 2015|| [[Tamil United Liberation Front|TULF]] || alignarchive-url=righthttps://web.archive.org/web/20150924134328/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/970713/news2.html|{{Nts|19525url-status=live}} || Not elected</ref>
|-
| [[2000 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2000 parliamentary]] || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil United Liberation Front|TULF]] || || Not elected||{{cn|date=July 2024}}
|-
| [[2001 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2001 parliamentary]]<ref name=pe01/> || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil National Alliance|TNA]] || align=right|{{Nts|40110}} || '''Elected'''||<ref name=pe01/>
|-
| [[2004 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2004 parliamentary]]<ref name=pe04/> || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil National Alliance|TNA]] || align=right|{{Nts|47735}} || '''Elected'''||<ref name=pe04/>
|-
| [[2010 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2010 parliamentary]]<ref name=pe10/> || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil National Alliance|TNA]] || align=right|{{Nts|24488}} || '''Elected'''||<ref name=pe10/>
|-
| [[2015 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2015 parliamentary]] || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil National Alliance|TNA]] || align=right|{{Nts|33834}} || '''Elected'''||<ref>{{cite news|last=Jayakody|first=Pradeep|title=The Comparison of Preferential Votes in 2015 & 2010|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/85309/the-comparison-of-preferential-votes-in-2015-2010|work=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=28 August 2015}}</ref> ||access-date=30 [[TrincomaleeAugust Electoral District2015|Trincomaleearchive-date=30 District]]August 2015|| [[Tamil National Alliance|TNA]] || alignarchive-url=righthttps://web.archive.org/web/20150830052544/http://www.dailymirror.lk/85309/the-comparison-of-preferential-votes-in-2015-2010|{{Nts|33834url-status=live}} || '''Elected'''</ref>
|-
| [[2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary]] || [[Trincomalee Electoral District|Trincomalee District]] || [[Tamil National Alliance|TNA]] || align=right|{{Nts|21422}} || '''Elected'''||<ref>{{cite news|title=District Results – Trincomalee – Final|url=https://election.adaderana.lk/general-election-2020/district_result.php?dist_id=Trincomalee|work=Ada Derana|date=5 August 2020|access-date=1 July 2024|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225113051/http://election.adaderana.lk/general-election-2020/district_result.php?dist_id=Trincomalee|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
==Further reading==▼
*{{Cite news|title=Sri Lanka not interested in 13th Amendement implementation: Sri Lankan MP R Sampanthan|url=https://www.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sri-lanka-not-interested-in-13th-amendement-implementation-sri-lankan-mp-r-sampanthan/articleshow/41022543.cms|date=27 August 2014|via=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]|newspaper=[[Economic Times (India)|Economic Times]]}}▼
*{{Cite news|title=R Sampanthan as Lankan opposition leader gives hope: DMK|url=https://www.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/r-sampanthan-as-lankan-opposition-leader-gives-hope-dmk/articleshow/48834691.cms|date=September 5, 2015|via=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]|newspaper=[[Economic Times (India)|Economic Times]]}}▼
==References==
{{Reflist}}
▲==Further reading==
▲* {{Cite news|title=Sri Lanka not interested in 13th Amendement implementation: Sri Lankan MP R Sampanthan|url=https://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sri-lanka-not-interested-in-13th-amendement-implementation-sri-lankan-mp-r-sampanthan/articleshow/41022543.cms|date=27 August 2014|via=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]|newspaperwork=[[EconomicThe Times (India)|Economic Times]]}}
▲* {{Cite news|title=R Sampanthan as Lankan opposition leader gives hope: DMK|url=https://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/r-sampanthan-as-lankan-opposition-leader-gives-hope-dmk/articleshow/48834691.cms|date=5 September 5, 2015|via=[[Press Trust of India|PTI]]|newspaperwork=[[EconomicThe Times (India)|Economic Times]]}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|position=left}}
* {{Twitter|R_Sampanthan}}
* {{Cite news|title=NSA Ajit Doval meets Sri Lankan Tamil leader Sampanthan|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nsa-ajit-doval-meets-sri-lankan-tamil-leader-sampanthan/article33207127.ece|date=29 November 2020|first=Meera|last=Srinivasan|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}
{{Sri Lankan Leaders of the Opposition}}
Line 134 ⟶ 138:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sampanthan, R.}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:Living2024 peopledeaths]]▼
[[Category:Alumni of Ceylon Law College]]
[[Category:Alumni of St. Anne's College, Kurunegala]]
Line 141 ⟶ 146:
[[Category:Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi politicians]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition (Sri Lanka)]]
▲[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the 8th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Members of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka]]