The document summarizes the role of S. Thondaman's advocacy for citizenship issues of Indian Tamil origin (IOT) people in Sri Lanka from 1939-1999. Some key points: - IOT were denied citizenship for reasons like fear of Indian invasion, being politically disconnected from Sinhalese, and potential to become a tool for Indian interests. - Thondaman, as head of the Ceylon Workers Congress party, advocated politically and through non-violent protests like prayer meetings. This led the Sri Lankan government to eventually grant citizenship to IOT people in 1986. - Thondaman maintained a balance of advocating for IOT rights while also safeguarding against supporting separ

1. D.Senthilnathan
The Role of Thondaman’s
advocacy on
Citizenship Issues of
Indian Origin Tamils’
(IOT)

2. The Role of Thondaman’s advocacy
on
Citizenship Issues of Indian Tamils’
1939–1999

3. Reasons for denied to the Citizenship of IOT
• IOT settled by British without Sinhalese’ permission.
• Fear of Indian Invasion (Hyderabad, Kashmir, Goa) What could happen to SL?
• Fear of Tamil Nadu and North East are very nearby territory based (Ex:
Indonesia)
• 10% Large population (6mn)
• Future: India can use as a economic ,political tool (Indian interest) Ex; IOT as
the equivalent of a Sudeten German minority, potentially expansionist India.
• IOT is politically disconnected refusing to co-operate with Sinhalese.
• The Role of IOT :Power Politics, trade Union, Ideological support to Leftism,
Parliament, NE connection)
• SL Experience: J. Nerhu,CIC influence (1931, 1942)

4. Time line of Indian Origin Tamils’ & Citizenship
1833 Colebrook Constitution
1840 IOT coming to Sri Lanka
1931 Adult franchise Vote (IOT are not allow to vote in LG)
1940 Citizenship problem arise
1947 CIC won the 6 seat out of 14 Electoral div. UNP : 42 seats
1948 Ceylon Citizenship act: denied citizenship to IOT.
1949 Indian Pakistani act; grant citizenship to IOT by registration on certain stringent
conditions( residence, income) 1946 since Married: 07 unmarried: 10
1949 Ceylon parliament election amendment act ; restricting right to vote only by citizen.
1949 CIC condemned the provision of Ceylon citizenship act.
Indian govt opposed and Madras legislative Assembly
1953 Indo –Ceylon agreement; Nehru –Kotelawala Pact
1964 30.Oct. Sirimavo –Shastri Pact

5. 1977 JR- Thondaman Relationship
1983 Black July riots
1984 APC ; granting citizenship to all stateless people of IOT
1985 Thondaman leave the govt. issue not resolved before
Dec 31, 1985.
1986 Long prayer and meditation on 15 th April
1986 Jan 15th Govt announced the Citizenship to IOT
1986 Jan 31 GOSL grant of Citizenship to the stateless bill.
1988 Thondaman supports to the RP in Presidential Election
1988 Law for grant Citizenship for IOT
1989 Passed a Law for Voting right

6. Thondaman’s Role and advocacy
• CWC more is more powerful political connection with India . (CIC: Nerhu)
• Thondaman is Politically conservative and is in touch with New Delhi.
• 30.Oct. Sirimavo –Shastri Pact: ( Between 1964 -1974 )
• India would take back 600,000 of the IOT and Sri Lanka would grant Citizenship to
375,000 (with their natural increase) over a phased period extending beyond 15 years.
• His Position to the CWC get the citizenship for the stateless and better working
conditions for estate labour.
• He follows ahimsa Policy such as longer prayer and meditation in Up –Country.
• Organize the strikes against the government
• Shows positives and Negative signals to the Government. IOT do not support the
‘Eelam’. Thondaman safeguard the youth of IOT
• Since 1978, Thondaman has served as a Cabinet minister under Presidents J. R.
Jayawardene, R.Premadasa and since 1995 under president Chandrika Bandaranaike.

7. “ My prayers are answered”. Behind the
success of his prayer campaign was its non-
violent nature. (1986)
• 4 factors led the solution
1. The economic consequences of Thondaman’s Prayer meetings
2. The New Delhi Declaration to link the repatriation with the return
of Sri Lankan refugees from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka.
3. The fear that Thondaman would guilt the Govt which in turn would
affect the stability of the Govt.
4. The Strategy of maintaining and enlarging the historical and
ideological difference between the IOT and SL Tamil.

8. Thondaman characterized the problem of Statelessness as “the real disease in
the context of Ceylon politics and its solution was
means for achieving the development of the real personality of the people of
Indian origin”. (The Hindu Dec 10, 1988)
Foreign Policy
• Tight Foreign Policy with India
• India created a deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka (1952)
• Strengthens relationship with Indo –Lanka (1977, 1982, 1987, 1990)
• ILO relationship (International recognized)
• Second largest Trade Union in Asia.
• He save as Sri Lankan Nationalism and national integration of IOT

9. Thank You
• Reference:
• A. Jeyaratnam Wilson, Sri Lankan Foreign Policy Change and
Continuity