Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi
Encyclopedia
Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) is a Sri Lanka
n political party which represents the Sri Lankan Tamil ethnic minority in the country. It was originally formed in 1949 as breakaway faction of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress
(ACTC). In 1972 ITAK merged with the ACTC and Ceylon Workers' Congress
(CWC) to form the Tamil United Front, which later changed its name to Tamil United Liberation Front
. ITAK remained dormant until 2004 when a split in the TULF resulted in ITAK being re-established as an active political party. ITAK is constituent party of the Tamil National Alliance
.
, C. Vanniasingam and Senator E. M. V. Naganathan
, who had withdrawn from G. G. Ponnambalam
's ACTC over the latter's decision to enter the UNP
government of D. S. Senanayke
. ITAK called itself the Federal Party (FP) in English
.
Policies adopted by successive Sri Lankan governments, and the 1956 success of the Sinhala nationalist government under Solomon Bandaranaike
, made the FP the main voice of Sri Lankan Tamil politics. Increased racial and political tension between the country's ethnic groups led three political parties representing the ethnic minorities (FP, ACTC and the CWC) to form the Tamil United Front (TUF) in 1972. The TUF became increasingly nationalistic and by 1976 it had renamed itself as the Tamil United Liberation Front
and was advocating an independent Tamil state
. The CWC subsequently left the TULF.
The TULF became the first Tamil nationalist party to run on a separatist platform in the 1977 election
. It gained a majority of the votes in the north and east, won 18 seats, and became the largest opposition party in parliament. As Tamil nationalism turned violent and civil war
broke out, the TULF remained the moderate face of Tamil politics. It became the target of nationalists on both sides and many of its leaders were assassinated.
(TNA), with other moderate Tamil parties as well as number of former militant groups
. The TNA contested the 2001 parliamentary election
under the TULF name and won 15 seats. Subsequently the TNA began to make 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
. This caused the members of TULF who wished to remain with the TNA to resurrect the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi name. ITAK is a registered political party and the TNA has contested all elections since the 2004 parliamentary election under the ITAK name.
increased its stranglehold on power, ITAK won 1.9% of the popular vote and 2 out of 95 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament. The ACTC won four seats.
led leftist coalition swept to power, ITAK won 5.39% of the popular vote and 10 out of 95 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament. The ACTC won just one seat. ITAK became the dominant party in the Tamil districts and remained so for two decades.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
ITAK's uncompromising stand on Tamil rights earned it the enmity of nationalist Sinhalese
. In response to the Sinhala Only Act
of 1956, ITAK MPs staged a satyagraha
protest, but it was violently broken up by a Sinhalese mob. ITAK was blamed for the 1958 riots
and banned briefly.
Unlike the Left parties, which opposed anything but full parity for the Tamil language, ITAK agreed to compromise and accepted the 1958 the Tamil Language (Special Provisions) Act in accordance with the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact
.
became the largest party, ITAK won 5.80% of the popular vote and 15 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
became the largest party, ITAK won 7.0% of the popular vote and 16 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
became the largest party, ITAK won 5.38% of the popular vote and 14 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
led United Front
coalition won a landslide, ITAK won 4.92% of the popular vote and 13 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
in which the UNP
won by a landslide, the TULF won 6.40% of the popular vote and 18 out of 168 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament, including all 14 seats in the Northern Province
.
Votes and seats won by TULF by electoral district
The TULF became the official opposition as result of the rout of the SLFP
. The TULF's success would lead to riots
in which hundreds of Tamils were murdered by Sinhala mobs.
Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, the TULF was frequently blamed by nationalist Sinhalese
politicians for acts of violence committed by militant groups such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE). In fact, the TULF represented an older, more conservative generation of Tamils that felt independence could be achieved without violence, more rival than ally to youth groups like the LTTE who believed in armed conflict.
In October 1983, all the TULF legislators, numbering sixteen at the time, forfeited their seats in Parliament for refusing to swear an oath unconditionally renouncing support for a separate state in accordance with the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
During the 1980s, the LTTE began to see the TULF as a rival in its desire to be considered the sole representatives of the Tamils of the north and east. Over the next two decades, the LTTE has assassinated several TULF leaders, including A. Amirthalingam and Neelan Thiruchelvam
.
n backed paramilitary
groups, Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front
(ENDLF), Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front
(EPRLF) and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization
(TELO), to contest the 15 February 1989 election
. The alliance won 3.40% of the popular vote and 10 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by TULF / ENDLF / EPRLF / TULF alliance by electoral district
in which the People's Alliance
alliance led by Chandrika Kumaratunga
came to power after 17 years of UNP
rule, the TULF won 1.60% of the popular vote and 5 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by TULF by electoral district
in which the People's Alliance
alliance led by Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
retained to power, the TULF won 1.23% of the popular vote and 5 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by TULF by electoral district
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n political party which represents the Sri Lankan Tamil ethnic minority in the country. It was originally formed in 1949 as breakaway faction of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress
All Ceylon Tamil Congress
All Ceylon Tamil Congress , is the oldest Tamil political party in Sri Lanka.-History:The ACTC was founded in 1944 by G.G. Ponnambalam. Ponnambalam asked for a 50-50 representation in parliament...
(ACTC). In 1972 ITAK merged with the ACTC and Ceylon Workers' Congress
Ceylon Workers' Congress
The Ceylon Workers' Congress is a political party in Sri Lanka that has traditionally represented Tamils working in the plantation sector of the economy .- History :...
(CWC) to form the Tamil United Front, which later changed its name to Tamil United Liberation Front
Tamil United Liberation Front
The Tamil United Liberation Front is a political party in Sri Lanka which seeks independence for the Tamil-populated areas of Sri Lanka.-Formation:...
. ITAK remained dormant until 2004 when a split in the TULF resulted in ITAK being re-established as an active political party. ITAK is constituent party of the Tamil National Alliance
Tamil National Alliance
The Tamil National Alliance is a powerful minority Sri Lankan Tamil political alliance in Sri Lanka. It was formed as an amalgamation of moderate Tamil parties as well as number of former rebel groups...
.
Federal Party
ITAK was founded in late 1949 by a group of three Ceylon Tamil parliamentarians, S. J. V. ChelvanayakamS. J. V. Chelvanayakam
Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament. He was the political leader and father figure of the Sri Lankan Tamil community for more than two decades...
, C. Vanniasingam and Senator E. M. V. Naganathan
E. M. V. Naganathan
Dr. E. M. V. Naganathan was a Sri Lankan physician and politician, representing Nallur, Jaffna in the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-Early life and education:...
, who had withdrawn from G. G. Ponnambalam
G. G. Ponnambalam
Ganapathipillai Gangaser Ponnambalam , known as G.G. Ponnambalam, was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician in British Ceylon, and then after independence, in Ceylon. He founded the first Sri Lankan Tamil political party, the All Ceylon Tamil Congress. Ponnambalam stood for the principle of minority...
's ACTC over the latter's decision to enter the UNP
United National Party
The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...
government of D. S. Senanayke
Don Stephen Senanayake
Don Stephen Senanayake was an independence activist who served as the first Prime Minister of Ceylon from 1947 to 1952.-Early life:...
. ITAK called itself the Federal Party (FP) in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
.
Policies adopted by successive Sri Lankan governments, and the 1956 success of the Sinhala nationalist government under Solomon Bandaranaike
Solomon Bandaranaike
Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike (Sinhala:සොලමන් වෙස්ට් රිජ්වේ ඩයස් බන්ඩාරනායක)(Tamil:சாலமன் வெஸ்ட் ரிச்சர்ட் டயஸ் பண்டாரநாயக்கா)Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike (Sinhala:සොලමන් වෙස්ට් රිජ්වේ ඩයස් බන්ඩාරනායක)(Tamil:சாலமன் வெஸ்ட் ரிச்சர்ட் டயஸ்...
, made the FP the main voice of Sri Lankan Tamil politics. Increased racial and political tension between the country's ethnic groups led three political parties representing the ethnic minorities (FP, ACTC and the CWC) to form the Tamil United Front (TUF) in 1972. The TUF became increasingly nationalistic and by 1976 it had renamed itself as the Tamil United Liberation Front
Tamil United Liberation Front
The Tamil United Liberation Front is a political party in Sri Lanka which seeks independence for the Tamil-populated areas of Sri Lanka.-Formation:...
and was advocating an independent Tamil state
Tamil Eelam
Tamil Eelam , is the name given by certain Tamils in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora to the independent state which they aspire to create in the north and east of Sri Lanka. Tamil Eelam has no official status or recognition by any other state or authority...
. The CWC subsequently left the TULF.
The TULF became the first Tamil nationalist party to run on a separatist platform in the 1977 election
Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 1977
The 1977 Sri Lankan election heralded the beginning of a new period of Sri Lanka's history - a period of unprecedented violence.-Background:Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike had become extraordinarily unpopular. Her economic policies had led to industrial growth and self-reliance, but was...
. It gained a majority of the votes in the north and east, won 18 seats, and became the largest opposition party in parliament. As Tamil nationalism turned violent and civil war
Sri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
broke out, the TULF remained the moderate face of Tamil politics. It became the target of nationalists on both sides and many of its leaders were assassinated.
Tamil National Alliance
In 2001 the TULF formed a political alliance, the Tamil National AllianceTamil National Alliance
The Tamil National Alliance is a powerful minority Sri Lankan Tamil political alliance in Sri Lanka. It was formed as an amalgamation of moderate Tamil parties as well as number of former rebel groups...
(TNA), with other moderate Tamil parties as well as number of former militant groups
Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups
Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups rose to prominence in the 1970s to fight the state of Sri Lanka in order to create an independent Tamil Eelam in the north of Sri Lanka. They rose in response to the perception amongst minority Sri Lankan Tamils that the state was preferring the majority Sinhalese...
. The TNA contested the 2001 parliamentary election
Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 2001
Parliamentary elections were held in Sri Lanka on December 6, 2001, just a little over a year after the last elections in October 2000.-Background:The People's Alliance government faced a blow when most of the SLMC MPs left the coalition...
under the TULF name and won 15 seats. Subsequently the TNA began to make 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
Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 2004
Parliamentary elections were held in Sri Lanka on 2 April 2004. The ruling United National Party of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was defeated, winning only eighty two seats in the 225-member Sri Lankan parliament. The opposition United People's Freedom Alliance won 105 seats...
. This caused the members of TULF who wished to remain with the TNA to resurrect the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi name. ITAK is a registered political party and the TNA has contested all elections since the 2004 parliamentary election under the ITAK name.
1952 Parliamentary General Election
In the first general election contested by ITAK, the 1952 election in which the UNPUnited National Party
The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...
increased its stranglehold on power, ITAK won 1.9% of the popular vote and 2 out of 95 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament. The ACTC won four seats.
1956 Parliamentary General Election
In the 1956 election in which the SLFPSri Lanka Freedom Party
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is one of the major political parties in Sri Lanka. It was founded by S.W.R.D Bandaranaike in 1951 and, since then, has been one of the two largest parties in the Sri Lankan political arena. It first came to power in 1956 and since then has been the predominant party in...
led leftist coalition swept to power, ITAK won 5.39% of the popular vote and 10 out of 95 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament. The ACTC won just one seat. ITAK became the dominant party in the Tamil districts and remained so for two decades.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
| Electoral District | Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | ITAK MP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District (1947-1989) Batticaloa Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Batticaloa in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and February 1989... |
9,300 | 52.05% | 1 | 61.57% | Chelliah Rajadurai |
| Chavakachcheri Chavakacheri Electoral District Chavakacheri Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Chavakacheri in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Kilinochchi Electoral District was carved out of the southern part of the district in March 1960... |
15,952 | 64.77% | 1 | 69.14% | V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.Navaratnam represented the Chavakacheri constituency in the Sri Lankan Parliament between April 1956 and July 1983, for the Federal Party at first and then the Tamil United Liberation Front .He resigned from Parliament on... |
| Jaffna Jaffna Electoral District (1947-1989) Jaffna Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Jaffna in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
7,173 | 32.56% | 0 | 63.72% | |
| Kalkudah Kalkudah Electoral District Kalkudah Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalkudah in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
4,555 | 28.31% | 0 | 60.80% | |
| Kalmunai Kalmunai Electoral District Kalmunai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalmunai in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
9,464 | 47.80% | 1 | 71.78% | M. S. Kariapper M. S. Kariapper Gate Mudaliyar Mohammed Samsudeen Kariapper was a Sri Lankan politician and Member of Parliament.-Early life:Kariapper was born in 1899 and educated at Wesley College, Colombo. He is a wealthy farmer and a coconut planter... |
| Kankesanthurai Kankesanthurai Electoral District Kankesanthurai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kankesanthurai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral... |
14,855 | 54.30% | 1 | 67.55% | S. J. V. Chelvanayakam S. J. V. Chelvanayakam Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament. He was the political leader and father figure of the Sri Lankan Tamil community for more than two decades... |
| Kayts Kayts Electoral District Kayts Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the island of Kayts in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
16,308 | 71.19% | 1 | 71.26% | V. A. Kandiah |
| Kopay Kopay Electoral District Kopay Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kopay in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
12,804 | 53.83% | 1 | 69.90% | C. Vanniasingam |
| Mannar Mannar Electoral District Mannar Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mannar in Mannar District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
6,726 | 53.12% | 1 | 80.70% | V. A. Alegacone |
| Paddirippu Paddiruppu Electoral District Paddiruppu electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Paddiruppu in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
9,422 | 49.72% | 0 | 74.17% | |
| Point Pedro Point Pedro Electoral District Point Pedro Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Point Pedro in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Udupiddy Electoral District was carved out of the western part of the district in March 1960... |
5,859 | 20.70% | 0 | 64.17% | |
| Pottuvil Pottuvil Electoral District Pottuvil electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Pottuvil in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between July 1977 and February 1989... |
8,355 | 52.46% | 1 | 63.81% | M. M. Mustapha |
| Trincomalee Trincomalee Electoral District (1947-1989) Trincomalee electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Trincomalee in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
7,048 | 56.88% | 1 | 77.36% | N. R. Rajavarothiam |
| Vaddukoddai Vaddukoddai Electoral District Vaddukoddai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vaddukoddai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
14,937 | 57.92% | 1 | 72.78% | A. Amirthalingam |
| Total | 142,758 | 5.39% | 10 | ||
| Source: Department of Elections | |||||
ITAK's uncompromising stand on Tamil rights earned it the enmity of nationalist Sinhalese
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
. In response to the Sinhala Only Act
Sinhala Only Act
The Sinhala Only Act was a law passed in the Ceylonese parliament in 1956...
of 1956, ITAK MPs staged a satyagraha
Satyagraha
Satyagraha , loosely translated as "insistence on truth satya agraha soul force" or "truth force" is a particular philosophy and practice within the broader overall category generally known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. The term "satyagraha" was conceived and developed by Mahatma...
protest, but it was violently broken up by a Sinhalese mob. ITAK was blamed for the 1958 riots
Sri Lankan riots of 1958
1958 riots in Ceylon also known as 58 riots was first island wide ethnic riots that targeted the minority Sri Lankan Tamils in Ceylon after it became an independent country from Britain in 1948. The riots lasted from May 22 until May 27, 1958 although sporadic disturbances happened even after the...
and banned briefly.
Unlike the Left parties, which opposed anything but full parity for the Tamil language, ITAK agreed to compromise and accepted the 1958 the Tamil Language (Special Provisions) Act in accordance with the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact
Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact
The Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact was an agreement signed between the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and the leader of the main Tamil political party in Sri Lanka S. J. V. Chelvanayakam on July 26, 1957...
.
1960 (March) Parliamentary General Election
In the March 1960 election in which the UNPUnited National Party
The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...
became the largest party, ITAK won 5.80% of the popular vote and 15 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
| Electoral District | Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | ITAK MP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District (1947-1989) Batticaloa Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Batticaloa in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and February 1989... |
28,309 | 47.62% | 1 | 159.67% | Chelliah Rajadurai |
| Chavakachcheri Chavakacheri Electoral District Chavakacheri Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Chavakacheri in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Kilinochchi Electoral District was carved out of the southern part of the district in March 1960... |
13,907 | 65.26% | 1 | 83.20% | V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.Navaratnam represented the Chavakacheri constituency in the Sri Lankan Parliament between April 1956 and July 1983, for the Federal Party at first and then the Tamil United Liberation Front .He resigned from Parliament on... |
| Jaffna Jaffna Electoral District (1947-1989) Jaffna Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Jaffna in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
5,101 | 29.35% | 0 | 71.91% | |
| Kalkudah Kalkudah Electoral District Kalkudah Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalkudah in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
7,318 | 48.51% | 1 | 83.46% | P. Manicavasagam |
| Kalmunai Kalmunai Electoral District Kalmunai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalmunai in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
5,520 | 39.67% | 0 | 79.41% | |
| Kankesanthurai Kankesanthurai Electoral District Kankesanthurai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kankesanthurai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral... |
13,545 | 67.61% | 1 | 71.22% | S. J. V. Chelvanayakam S. J. V. Chelvanayakam Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament. He was the political leader and father figure of the Sri Lankan Tamil community for more than two decades... |
| Kayts Kayts Electoral District Kayts Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the island of Kayts in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
10,820 | 56.61% | 1 | 75.34% | V. A. Kandiah |
| Kilinochchi Kilinochchi Electoral District Kilinochchi Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kilinochchi in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the southern part of Chavakacheri Electoral District in March... |
3,741 | 41.76% | 1 | 64.89% | A. Sivasunderam |
| Kopay Kopay Electoral District Kopay Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kopay in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
10,279 | 48.63% | 1 | 77.13% | M. Balasundaram |
| Mannar Mannar Electoral District Mannar Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mannar in Mannar District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
6,463 | 47.37% | 1 | 81.31% | V. A. Alegacone |
| Mutur Mutur Electoral District Mutur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mutur in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and July 1977... |
10,685 | 26.73% | 1 | 144.20% | T. Ahambaram |
| Nallur Nallur Electoral District Nallur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Nallur in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the eastern part of Jaffna Electoral District in March 1960... |
9,651 | 49.36% | 1 | 73.12% | E. M. V. Naganathan E. M. V. Naganathan Dr. E. M. V. Naganathan was a Sri Lankan physician and politician, representing Nallur, Jaffna in the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-Early life and education:... |
| Paddirippu Paddiruppu Electoral District Paddiruppu electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Paddiruppu in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
10,799 | 62.36% | 1 | 89.91% | S. M. Rasamanickam |
| Point Pedro Point Pedro Electoral District Point Pedro Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Point Pedro in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Udupiddy Electoral District was carved out of the western part of the district in March 1960... |
5,679 | 40.34% | 1 | 73.33% | K. Thurairatnam |
| Trincomalee Trincomalee Electoral District (1947-1989) Trincomalee electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Trincomalee in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
8,872 | 71.43% | 1 | 65.96% | N. R. Rajavarothiam |
| Udupiddy Udupiddy Electoral District Udupiddy Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Udupiddy in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the western part of Point Pedro Electoral District in March 1960... |
3,860 | 18.19% | 0 | 74.84% | |
| Uduvil Uduvil Electoral District Uduvil Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was renamed Manipay Electoral District in July 1977. The district was named after the towns of Uduvil and Manipay in Jaffna District, Northern Province... |
9,033 | 44.07% | 1 | 75.92% | V. Dharmalingam |
| Vaddukoddai Vaddukoddai Electoral District Vaddukoddai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vaddukoddai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
11,524 | 53.52% | 1 | 75.37% | A. Amirthalingam |
| Vavuniya Vavuniya Electoral District Vavuniya Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vavuniya in Vavuniya District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
1,338 | 10.78% | 0 | 67.76% | |
| Total | 176,444 | 5.80% | 15 | ||
| Source: Department of Elections | |||||
1960 (July) Parliamentary General Election
In the July 1960 election in which the SLFPSri Lanka Freedom Party
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is one of the major political parties in Sri Lanka. It was founded by S.W.R.D Bandaranaike in 1951 and, since then, has been one of the two largest parties in the Sri Lankan political arena. It first came to power in 1956 and since then has been the predominant party in...
became the largest party, ITAK won 7.0% of the popular vote and 16 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
1965 Parliamentary General Election
In the 1965 election in which the UNPUnited National Party
The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...
became the largest party, ITAK won 5.38% of the popular vote and 14 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
| Electoral District | Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | ITAK MP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District (1947-1989) Batticaloa Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Batticaloa in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and February 1989... |
29,023 | 43.47% | 1 | 150.59% | Chelliah Rajadurai |
| Chavakachcheri Chavakacheri Electoral District Chavakacheri Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Chavakacheri in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Kilinochchi Electoral District was carved out of the southern part of the district in March 1960... |
16,316 | 69.41% | 1 | 77.92% | V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.Navaratnam represented the Chavakacheri constituency in the Sri Lankan Parliament between April 1956 and July 1983, for the Federal Party at first and then the Tamil United Liberation Front .He resigned from Parliament on... |
| Jaffna Jaffna Electoral District (1947-1989) Jaffna Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Jaffna in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
6,800 | 30.81% | 0 | 77.76% | |
| Kalkudah Kalkudah Electoral District Kalkudah Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalkudah in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
6,096 | 35.22% | 0 | 72.70% | |
| Kalmunai Kalmunai Electoral District Kalmunai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalmunai in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
6,235 | 32.69% | 0 | 86.07% | |
| Kankesanthurai Kankesanthurai Electoral District Kankesanthurai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kankesanthurai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral... |
14,735 | 58.24% | 1 | 72.42% | S. J. V. Chelvanayakam S. J. V. Chelvanayakam Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament. He was the political leader and father figure of the Sri Lankan Tamil community for more than two decades... |
| Kayts Kayts Electoral District Kayts Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the island of Kayts in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
13,558 | 69.98% | 1 | 61.49% | V. Navaratnam V. Navaratnam Vaithianathan Navaratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.Navaratnam was one of the founding members of the Federal Party. He unsuccessfully contested the Kayts constituency in the 1952 elections for the Sri Lankan Parliament.Navaratnam won the 1963 by-election held in... |
| Kilinochchi Kilinochchi Electoral District Kilinochchi Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kilinochchi in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the southern part of Chavakacheri Electoral District in March... |
5,922 | 44.69% | 1 | 71.33% | K. P. Ratnam K. P. Ratnam Kaarthigesar Ponnambalam Ratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.-Early life:Ratnam was born on 10 March 1914 in Velanai on the island of Kayts in northern British Ceylon. He excelled in Tamil language and Tamil literature at school. He became a pundit in 1933 and vidvan... |
| Kopay Kopay Electoral District Kopay Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kopay in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
12,339 | 51.93% | 1 | 72.90% | S. Kathiravelupillai |
| Mannar Mannar Electoral District Mannar Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mannar in Mannar District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
6,896 | 39.52% | 1 | 82.04% | V. A. Alegacone |
| Mutur Mutur Electoral District Mutur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mutur in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and July 1977... |
20,237 | 35.64% | 1 | 150.92% | M. E. H. Mohamed Ali |
| Nallur Nallur Electoral District Nallur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Nallur in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the eastern part of Jaffna Electoral District in March 1960... |
10,301 | 45.05% | 1 | 72.03% | E. M. V. Naganathan E. M. V. Naganathan Dr. E. M. V. Naganathan was a Sri Lankan physician and politician, representing Nallur, Jaffna in the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-Early life and education:... |
| Paddirippu Paddiruppu Electoral District Paddiruppu electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Paddiruppu in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
11,270 | 51.50% | 1 | 85.23% | S. M. Rasamanickam |
| Point Pedro Point Pedro Electoral District Point Pedro Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Point Pedro in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Udupiddy Electoral District was carved out of the western part of the district in March 1960... |
7,564 | 46.24% | 1 | 71.62% | K. Thurairatnam |
| Pottuvil Pottuvil Electoral District Pottuvil electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Pottuvil in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between July 1977 and February 1989... |
871 | 4.53% | 0 | 82.26% | |
| Trincomalee Trincomalee Electoral District (1947-1989) Trincomalee electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Trincomalee in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
9,651 | 48.48% | 1 | 73.00% | S. M. Manickarajah |
| Udupiddy Udupiddy Electoral District Udupiddy Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Udupiddy in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the western part of Point Pedro Electoral District in March 1960... |
8,452 | 32.85% | 0 | 75.47% | |
| Uduvil Uduvil Electoral District Uduvil Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was renamed Manipay Electoral District in July 1977. The district was named after the towns of Uduvil and Manipay in Jaffna District, Northern Province... |
11,638 | 48.61% | 1 | 72.80% | V. Dharmalingam |
| Vaddukoddai Vaddukoddai Electoral District Vaddukoddai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vaddukoddai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
15,498 | 60.78% | 1 | 69.83% | A. Amirthalingam |
| Vavuniya Vavuniya Electoral District Vavuniya Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vavuniya in Vavuniya District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
4,512 | 25.05% | 0 | 73.45% | |
| Total | 217,914 | 5.38% | 14 | ||
| Source: Department of Elections | |||||
1970 Parliamentary General Election
In the 1970 election in which the SLFPSri Lanka Freedom Party
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is one of the major political parties in Sri Lanka. It was founded by S.W.R.D Bandaranaike in 1951 and, since then, has been one of the two largest parties in the Sri Lankan political arena. It first came to power in 1956 and since then has been the predominant party in...
led United Front
United Front (Sri Lanka)
The United Front was a political alliance in Sri Lanka, formed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party , the Lanka Sama Samaja Party and the Communist Party of Sri Lanka in 1968...
coalition won a landslide, ITAK won 4.92% of the popular vote and 13 out of 151 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by ITAK by electoral district
| Electoral District | Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | ITAK MP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District (1947-1989) Batticaloa Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Batticaloa in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and February 1989... |
27,661 | 33.17% | 1 | 164.35% | Chelliah Rajadurai |
| Chavakachcheri Chavakacheri Electoral District Chavakacheri Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Chavakacheri in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Kilinochchi Electoral District was carved out of the southern part of the district in March 1960... |
15,473 | 54.49% | 1 | 86.11% | V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.Navaratnam represented the Chavakacheri constituency in the Sri Lankan Parliament between April 1956 and July 1983, for the Federal Party at first and then the Tamil United Liberation Front .He resigned from Parliament on... |
| Jaffna Jaffna Electoral District (1947-1989) Jaffna Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Jaffna in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
8,848 | 35.59% | 1 | 79.89% | C. X. Martyn |
| Kalkudah Kalkudah Electoral District Kalkudah Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalkudah in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
8,420 | 37.97% | 0 | 83.59% | |
| Kalmunai Kalmunai Electoral District Kalmunai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalmunai in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
4,960 | 23.00% | 0 | 87.77% | |
| Kankesanthurai Kankesanthurai Electoral District Kankesanthurai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kankesanthurai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral... |
13,520 | 44.29% | 1 | 81.03% | S. J. V. Chelvanayakam S. J. V. Chelvanayakam Samuel James Veluppillai Chelvanayakam was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician and Member of Parliament. He was the political leader and father figure of the Sri Lankan Tamil community for more than two decades... |
| Kayts Kayts Electoral District Kayts Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the island of Kayts in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
13,079 | 53.35% | 1 | 76.88% | K. P. Ratnam K. P. Ratnam Kaarthigesar Ponnambalam Ratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.-Early life:Ratnam was born on 10 March 1914 in Velanai on the island of Kayts in northern British Ceylon. He excelled in Tamil language and Tamil literature at school. He became a pundit in 1933 and vidvan... |
| Kilinochchi Kilinochchi Electoral District Kilinochchi Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kilinochchi in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the southern part of Chavakacheri Electoral District in March... |
8,392 | 46.55% | 0 | 76.03% | |
| Kopay Kopay Electoral District Kopay Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kopay in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
16,428 | 43.92% | 1 | 79.01% | S. Kathiravelupillai |
| Mannar Mannar Electoral District Mannar Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mannar in Mannar District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
10,697 | 48.98% | 1 | 86.34% | V. A. Alegacone |
| Mutur Mutur Electoral District Mutur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mutur in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and July 1977... |
19,787 | 25.87% | 1 | 174.73% | A. Thangathurai |
| Nallur Nallur Electoral District Nallur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Nallur in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the eastern part of Jaffna Electoral District in March 1960... |
12,508 | 44.61% | 0 | 78.69% | |
| Paddirippu Paddiruppu Electoral District Paddiruppu electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Paddiruppu in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
12,723 | 48.76% | 0 | 90.45% | |
| Point Pedro Point Pedro Electoral District Point Pedro Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Point Pedro in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Udupiddy Electoral District was carved out of the western part of the district in March 1960... |
9,217 | 48.50% | 1 | 79.52% | K. Thurairatnam |
| Trincomalee Trincomalee Electoral District (1947-1989) Trincomalee electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Trincomalee in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
12,395 | 45.83% | 1 | 76.61% | B. Neminathan |
| Udupiddy Udupiddy Electoral District Udupiddy Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Udupiddy in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the western part of Point Pedro Electoral District in March 1960... |
12,918 | 46.54% | 1 | 80.41% | Kandappa Jeyakody |
| Uduvil Uduvil Electoral District Uduvil Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was renamed Manipay Electoral District in July 1977. The district was named after the towns of Uduvil and Manipay in Jaffna District, Northern Province... |
14,120 | 49.27% | 1 | 78.43% | V. Dharmalingam |
| Vaddukoddai Vaddukoddai Electoral District Vaddukoddai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vaddukoddai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
13,634 | 48.71% | 0 | 78.67% | |
| Vavuniya Vavuniya Electoral District Vavuniya Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vavuniya in Vavuniya District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
10,947 | 42.99% | 1 | 80.82% | X. M. Sellathambu |
| Total | 245,727 | 4.92% | 13 | ||
| Source: Department of Elections | |||||
1977 Parliamentary General Election
In the first general election contested by the TULF, the 21 July 1977 electionSri Lankan parliamentary election, 1977
The 1977 Sri Lankan election heralded the beginning of a new period of Sri Lanka's history - a period of unprecedented violence.-Background:Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike had become extraordinarily unpopular. Her economic policies had led to industrial growth and self-reliance, but was...
in which the UNP
United National Party
The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...
won by a landslide, the TULF won 6.40% of the popular vote and 18 out of 168 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament, including all 14 seats in the Northern Province
Northern Province, Sri Lanka
The Northern Province is one of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but did not have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. Between 1988 and 2006 the province was...
.
Votes and seats won by TULF by electoral district
| Electoral District | Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | TULF MP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District (1947-1989) Batticaloa Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Batticaloa in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and February 1989... |
26,648 | 24.70% | 1 | 171.15% | Chelliah Rajadurai |
| Chavakachcheri Chavakacheri Electoral District Chavakacheri Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Chavakacheri in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Kilinochchi Electoral District was carved out of the southern part of the district in March 1960... |
20,028 | 63.27% | 1 | 85.65% | V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam V. N. Navaratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.Navaratnam represented the Chavakacheri constituency in the Sri Lankan Parliament between April 1956 and July 1983, for the Federal Party at first and then the Tamil United Liberation Front .He resigned from Parliament on... |
| Jaffna Jaffna Electoral District (1947-1989) Jaffna Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Jaffna in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
16,251 | 56.62% | 1 | 82.32% | V. Yogeswaran |
| Kalkudah Kalkudah Electoral District Kalkudah Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalkudah in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
12,595 | 43.07% | 0 | 86.02% | |
| Kalmunai Kalmunai Electoral District Kalmunai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kalmunai in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
7,093 | 27.38% | 0 | 89.86% | |
| Kankesanthurai Kankesanthurai Electoral District Kankesanthurai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kankesanthurai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral... |
31,155 | 85.41% | 1 | 83.08% | A. Amirthalingam |
| Kayts Kayts Electoral District Kayts Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the island of Kayts in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
17,640 | 64.05% | 1 | 75.72% | K. P. Ratnam K. P. Ratnam Kaarthigesar Ponnambalam Ratnam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament.-Early life:Ratnam was born on 10 March 1914 in Velanai on the island of Kayts in northern British Ceylon. He excelled in Tamil language and Tamil literature at school. He became a pundit in 1933 and vidvan... |
| Kilinochchi Kilinochchi Electoral District Kilinochchi Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kilinochchi in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the southern part of Chavakacheri Electoral District in March... |
15,607 | 73.42% | 1 | 79.71% | V. Anandasangaree V. Anandasangaree Veerasingham Anandasangaree is a leading Sri Lankan Tamil politician, former Member of Parliament and leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front. He is commonly known as Sangaree... |
| Kopay Kopay Electoral District Kopay Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Kopay in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
25,840 | 77.20% | 1 | 80.03% | S. Kathiravelupillai |
| Manipay | 27,550 | 83.99% | 1 | 79.28% | V. Dharmalingam |
| Mannar Mannar Electoral District Mannar Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mannar in Mannar District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for electing... |
15,141 | 51.58% | 1 | 92.40% | P. S. Soosaithasan |
| Mullaitivu Mullaitivu Electoral District Mullaitivu Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between July 1977 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mullaitivu in Mullaitivu District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
10,261 | 52.36% | 1 | 79.34% | X. M. Sellathambu |
| Mutur Mutur Electoral District Mutur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Mutur in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between March 1960 and July 1977... |
7,520 | 27.00% | 0 | 91.65% | |
| Nallur Nallur Electoral District Nallur Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Nallur in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the eastern part of Jaffna Electoral District in March 1960... |
29,858 | 89.42% | 1 | 83.05% | M. Sivasithamparam |
| Paddirippu Paddiruppu Electoral District Paddiruppu electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Paddiruppu in Batticaloa District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
15,877 | 49.17% | 1 | 89.92% | P. Ganeshalingam |
| Point Pedro Point Pedro Electoral District Point Pedro Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Point Pedro in Jaffna District, Northern Province. Udupiddy Electoral District was carved out of the western part of the district in March 1960... |
12,989 | 55.91% | 1 | 81.66% | K. Thurairatnam |
| Pottuvil Pottuvil Electoral District Pottuvil electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Pottuvil in Ampara District, Eastern Province. The district was a two-member constituency between July 1977 and February 1989... |
23,990 | 26.97% | 1 | 179.02% | M. Kanagaratnam |
| Puttalam | 3,268 | 10.52% | 0 | 83.58% | |
| Samanthurai | 8,615 | 34.65% | 0 | 91.04% | |
| Trincomalee Trincomalee Electoral District (1947-1989) Trincomalee electoral district was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the city of Trincomalee in Trincomalee District, Eastern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system... |
15,144 | 51.76% | 1 | 81.78% | R. Sampanthan |
| Udupiddy Udupiddy Electoral District Udupiddy Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between March 1960 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Udupiddy in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The district was carved out of the western part of Point Pedro Electoral District in March 1960... |
18,768 | 63.44% | 1 | 80.05% | T. Rasalingam |
| Vaddukoddai Vaddukoddai Electoral District Vaddukoddai Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vaddukoddai in Jaffna District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
23,384 | 70.18% | 1 | 81.90% | T. Thirunavukarasu |
| Vavuniya Vavuniya Electoral District Vavuniya Electoral District was an electoral district of Sri Lanka between August 1947 and February 1989. The district was named after the town of Vavuniya in Vavuniya District, Northern Province. The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka introduced the proportional representation electoral system for... |
13,821 | 59.02% | 1 | 82.31% | T. Sivasithamparam |
| Total | 399,043 | 6.40% | 18 | ||
| Source: | |||||
The TULF became the official opposition as result of the rout of the SLFP
Sri Lanka Freedom Party
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is one of the major political parties in Sri Lanka. It was founded by S.W.R.D Bandaranaike in 1951 and, since then, has been one of the two largest parties in the Sri Lankan political arena. It first came to power in 1956 and since then has been the predominant party in...
. The TULF's success would lead to riots
Sri Lankan riots of 1977
The 1977 riots in Sri Lanka followed the 1977 general elections in Sri Lanka where the Sri Lankan Tamil nationalistic Tamil United Liberation Front won a plurality of minority Sri Lankan Tamil votes in which it stood for secession...
in which hundreds of Tamils were murdered by Sinhala mobs.
Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, the TULF was frequently blamed by nationalist Sinhalese
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
politicians for acts of violence committed by militant groups such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was a separatist militant organization formerly based in northern Sri Lanka. Founded in May 1976 by Vellupillai Prabhakaran, it waged a violent secessionist and nationalist campaign to create an independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka for Tamil...
(LTTE). In fact, the TULF represented an older, more conservative generation of Tamils that felt independence could be achieved without violence, more rival than ally to youth groups like the LTTE who believed in armed conflict.
In October 1983, all the TULF legislators, numbering sixteen at the time, forfeited their seats in Parliament for refusing to swear an oath unconditionally renouncing support for a separate state in accordance with the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
During the 1980s, the LTTE began to see the TULF as a rival in its desire to be considered the sole representatives of the Tamils of the north and east. Over the next two decades, the LTTE has assassinated several TULF leaders, including A. Amirthalingam and Neelan Thiruchelvam
Neelan Thiruchelvam
Neelan Tiruchelvam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician and an internationally respected academic. He was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber in July 1999....
.
1989 Parliamentary General Election
The TULF formed an alliance with the three IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n backed paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
groups, Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front
Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front
The Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front is a former Indian backed Tamil militant group in Sri Lanka. It was formed in 1987 as an amalgamation of splinter groups from other militant groups...
(ENDLF), Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front
Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front
The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K...
(EPRLF) and Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization
Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization
The Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization is an Eelam Tamil organisation campaigning for the establishment of an independent Tamil Eelam in the northeast of Sri Lanka. The TELO was originally created as a militant group, and functioned as such until 1986, when most of its membership was killed in a...
(TELO), to contest the 15 February 1989 election
Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 1989
Sri Lanka had not had a parliamentary election since 1977. The elections that should normally have been held by 1983 had been cancelled by the 1982 referendum.President Ranasinghe Premadasa called the election for February 15.-Electoral District:...
. The alliance won 3.40% of the popular vote and 10 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by TULF / ENDLF / EPRLF / TULF alliance by electoral district
| Electoral District Electoral districts in Sri Lanka The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka provides for the election of members of Parliament from 22 multi-member electoral districts through the proportional representation electoral system.... |
Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | TULF / ENDLF / EPRLF / TELO MPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District Batticaloa Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district is conterminous with the administrative district of Batticaloa in the Eastern province... |
55,131 | 35.49% | 3 | 71.74% | Prince Gunarasa Casinader (EPRLF Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K... ) Govinthan Karunakaram (TELO Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization The Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization is an Eelam Tamil organisation campaigning for the establishment of an independent Tamil Eelam in the northeast of Sri Lanka. The TELO was originally created as a militant group, and functioned as such until 1986, when most of its membership was killed in a... ) Thambimuthu Samuel Pennington Thevarasa (EPRLF Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K... ), murdered 11 May 1990 Joseph Pararajasingham Joseph Pararajasingham Joseph Pararajasingham was a Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and a poet who was known for his pro-Tamil Tiger views and advocacy of human rights... (TULF), from 1990 (replaces Sam Thambimuthu (EPRLF)) |
| Digamadulla Digamadulla Electoral District Ampara Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district is conterminous with the administrative district of Ampara in the Eastern province... |
43,424 | 20.32% | 1 | 80.41% | Jeyaratnam Thiviya Nadan (EPRLF Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K... ) |
| Jaffna Jaffna Electoral District Jaffna Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district covers the administrative districts of Jaffna and Kilinochchi in the Northern province... |
60,013 | 25.02% | 3 | 40.50% | Kandiah Navaratnam (EPRLF Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K... ) Suresh Premachandran (EPRLF Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K... ) Ganeshankari Yogasangari (EPRLF Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K... ), murdered 19 June 1990 |
| Vanni | 17,271 | 39.99% | 2 | 30.53% | Raja Kuhaneswaran (TELO Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization The Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization is an Eelam Tamil organisation campaigning for the establishment of an independent Tamil Eelam in the northeast of Sri Lanka. The TELO was originally created as a militant group, and functioned as such until 1986, when most of its membership was killed in a... ) Anthony Emmanuel Silva (EPRLF Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K... ) |
| National List | 1 | A. Amirthalingam (TULF), murdered 13 July 1989 Mavai Senathirajah (replaces A. Amirthalingam) |
|||
| Total | 188,593 | 3.40% | 10 | 63.6% | |
| Sources: | |||||
1994 Parliamentary General Election
In the 16 August 1994 electionSri Lankan parliamentary election, 1994
The Sri Lankan parliamentary election of 1994 marked the decisive end of 17 years of UNP rule and a revival of Sri Lankan democracy.-Background:Democracy in Sri Lanka had seemed doomed as the presidencies of J.R...
in which the People's Alliance
People's Alliance (Sri Lanka)
The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...
alliance led by Chandrika Kumaratunga
Chandrika Kumaratunga
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga born June 29, 1945) was the 4th Executive president of Sri Lanka, serving from November 12, 1994 to November 19, 2005. The daughter of two former Prime Ministers, she was also the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party until end of 2005...
came to power after 17 years of UNP
United National Party
The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...
rule, the TULF won 1.60% of the popular vote and 5 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by TULF by electoral district
| Electoral District Electoral districts in Sri Lanka The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka provides for the election of members of Parliament from 22 multi-member electoral districts through the proportional representation electoral system.... |
Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | TULF MPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District Batticaloa Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district is conterminous with the administrative district of Batticaloa in the Eastern province... |
76,516 | 43.95% | 3 | 66.47% | Joseph Pararajasingham Joseph Pararajasingham Joseph Pararajasingham was a Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and a poet who was known for his pro-Tamil Tiger views and advocacy of human rights... P. Selvarasa K. Thurairasasingham |
| Trincomalee Trincomalee Electoral District Trincomalee Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district is conterminous with the administrative district of Trincomalee in the Eastern province... |
28,380 | 23.66% | 1 | 65.15% | Thangathurai Arunasalam Thangathurai Arunasalam Thangathurai Arunasalam also spelt Thangathurai Arunachalam was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician. He was Tamil United Liberation Front Member of Parliament for Trincomalee District. He was assassinated by LTTE on July 5, 1997 in the presence of hundreds of school children. He was 61 years... |
| National List | 1 | Neelan Tiruchelvam, murdered 29 July 1999 Mavai Senathirajah, from August 1999 (replaces Neelan Tiruchelvam) |
|||
| Total | 132,461 | 1.60% | 5 | 76.23% | |
| Sources: | |||||
2000 Parliamentary General Election
In the 10 October 2000 electionSri Lankan parliamentary election, 2000
The elections were called by President Chandrika Kumaratunga for October 24, 2000.The People's Alliance government Kumaratunga had led for six years was facing increasing criticism on two fronts: a series of military defeats at the hands of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the...
in which the People's Alliance
People's Alliance (Sri Lanka)
The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...
alliance led by Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake MP is a Sri Lankan politician who was Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2005 to 2010. He is currently a National List member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka....
retained to power, the TULF won 1.23% of the popular vote and 5 out of 225 seats in the Sri Lankan parliament.
Votes and seats won by TULF by electoral district
| Electoral District Electoral districts in Sri Lanka The 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka provides for the election of members of Parliament from 22 multi-member electoral districts through the proportional representation electoral system.... |
Votes | % | Seats | Turnout | TULF MPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batticaloa Batticaloa Electoral District Batticaloa Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district is conterminous with the administrative district of Batticaloa in the Eastern province... |
54,448 | 29.20% | 2 | 71.74% | Joseph Pararajasingham Joseph Pararajasingham Joseph Pararajasingham was a Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and a poet who was known for his pro-Tamil Tiger views and advocacy of human rights... Nimalan Soundaranayagam |
| Jaffna Jaffna Electoral District Jaffna Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district covers the administrative districts of Jaffna and Kilinochchi in the Northern province... |
32,852 | 27.59% | 3 | 21.32% | V. Anandasangaree V. Anandasangaree Veerasingham Anandasangaree is a leading Sri Lankan Tamil politician, former Member of Parliament and leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front. He is commonly known as Sangaree... Mavai Senathirajah Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah was the managing director of Namathu Eelanadu, a Tamil-language newspaper, in Jaffna ,he was also a former Member of Parliament for the Tamil United Liberation Front, and a member of the pro LTTE Tamil National Alliance in the Sri Lankan Parliament... |
| Trincomalee Trincomalee Electoral District Trincomalee Electoral District is one of the 22 multi-member electoral districts of Sri Lanka created by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. The district is conterminous with the administrative district of Trincomalee in the Eastern province... |
14,090 | 10.58% | 0 | 68.52% | |
| Vanni | 4,643 | 5.58% | 0 | 42.13% | |
| National List | 0 | ||||
| Total | 106,033 | 1.23% | 5 | 75.62% | |
| Sources: | |||||