Praba dubs Bala Annai as Voice of the Nation (Thesathin Kural)
December 15th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ideologue Anton Stanislaus Balasingham passed away peacefully in his South London residence at 1. 45 pm (British time) on Thursday December 14th. His loving and devoted Australia – born wife Adele Anne was by his side as the 68 year old Tamil leader breathed his last. Tiger supremo Velupillai Pirapakaran has honoured Balasingham by bestowing the title “Voice of the Nation” post – humously on him.
His death was not unexpected ever since it was known the doctors had given him 4 – 6 weeks to live. Balasingham or Bala “Annai” (elder brother) as he was generally known among Tamils was diagnosed with bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), a rare and aggressive malignancy of the biliary system. The cancer was in an advanced stage and spread to his liver, lungs, abdomen and bones.
Bala Annai was a sick man even before cancer afflicted him.He was suffering from diabetes for 35 years and in the late nineties developed renal disease, for which he underwent a kidney transplant in 1999.
When diagnosed as having cancer Balasingham made the following comment to the media on Nov 22nd this year. “it is an unfortunate personal tragedy. However, when compared to the vast ocean of the collective tragedy faced by my people, my illness is merely a pebble. I am deeply sad that I am crippled by this illness, unable to contribute anything substantial towards the alleviation of the immense suffering and oppression of my people.”
Balasingham was chief negotiator of the LTTE and its political strategist. He was called “arasiyal madhiyurainjar” (political adviser.
LTTE chief Velupillai Pirapakaran issued a special statement after Balasingham’s death. In that statement Praba announced that Bala annai had been conferred the “Thesathin Kural” or “”Voice of the nation” title. Usually the LTTE confers “Naattup Patraalar” (patriot) or “Maamanithar” (great human) titles on departed civilian supporters. Cadres dying in combat are made “Maaveerar” or “great heroes”. In the case of Balasingham whose “status” was special in the tiger hierarchy a new honour has been created.
The LTTE leader’s statement is repproduced below -
“A source of unwavering strength in the political and diplomatic efforts of our freedom movement, and the light of our nation is extinguished. Bala Annai, from whom I sought advice and solace, is no more with us. It is an irreplaceable loss for our entire nation and for me.
Bala Annai’s life has been much too short. His death comes at a time when we needed him most, as our freedom struggle intensifies. I cannot find words to express my grief and loss.
From the beginning of our struggle, when we first met, there was a deep mutual understanding. The fondness that rose from that understanding developed into a rare friendship. We thought and acted in unison. Our friendship grew in strength through our shared day-to-day experiences. This friendship stands apart from ordinary human relationships. It matured with time and was shaped by our shared history.
I was deeply fond of Bala Annai. In the great family that is our movement he was its eldest son and its guiding star for three decades. That is how I looked up to him. During the time we lived together as one family, I came to realize that he was no ordinary human being. He was strong and unshakable even during the illness that threatened to take his life and the severe pain that illness brought him. The strength of his soul was inspirational. I grieve for him.
Bala Annai has a permanent historic place in the growth and the spread of our movement. He was its elder member, its ideologue, its philosopher and, above all, my best friend who gave me encouragement and energy. He shared my sorrows, my anxieties and my travails. He was with me from the very beginning of our movement, sharing its challenges and hardships. He was the central figure in all our diplomatic efforts.
Saluting the immeasurable service he rendered our nation in the political and diplomatic arenas and the efforts by which he put our national freedom movement on the world stage, allowing our nation to stand with dignity, I am proud to bestow the title of ‘Voice of the Nation’ on Bala Annai.
Bala Annai has not left us. He will live permanently in our thoughts. ”
Meanwhile a three – day period of mourning has been declared in North – Eastern Sri Lanka and amidst Tamil diaspora sections abroad. It will be effective from Dec 15th to Dec 17th.
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