Minister of Youth Empowerment and Socioeconomic Development Arumugam Thondaman of Sri Lanka
In very simple terms what Thondaman is saying is that he fears that the Sri Lankan state could unleash its terrorism against his people at any time and wants greater political clout and insurance to be able to protect them if at all.
Thondaman was born in Muna Pudur, TamilNadu (then called Madras State) India, the son of Kumaravel Karuppaiah and Sithammai; father Kumaravel Karuppaiah was from Thondaman clan that ruled parts of Ramanathapuram District and had established links with Jaffna.
Infrastructure Minister Arumugam, Thondaman has sought to change his security unit.
Thondaman going the LTTE way: Who is to be blamed?By Champika LiyanaarachchiCeylon Workers Congress leader Arumugam Thondaman is a politician better known for his grossly artless and blunt political moves than anything else.
But Thondaman was never known for overly pandering to the LTTE.
Throughout Thondaman was comfortable with whatever government in office and remained detached as much as possible from the LTTE.
The partners of the ruling alliance are unanimous in their opinion that Arumugam Thondaman is only exploiting the naivety of his constituency.
If Thondaman had any kind of brotherly feeling towards the North or had a longing to be a Tiger ally, he had good five years to make moves towards that direction.
Thondaman is that of a Sampanthan, as a facilitator of this process of subjugation.
Thondaman was a version of the role allocated to the TNA at present that of the LTTEs willing tool and mouthpiece until their services can be dispensed with altogether and the Tigers can take over the upcountry directly without any intermediaries or proxies.
Thondaman had several discussions with the LTTE (including with the Tiger Supremo) and made the obligatory statements about peace etc.
Thondaman was to also inform SLMC Leader Minister Rauf Hakeem his decision to resign prior to sending the letter, stating that he cannot serve in a government that treats him and his members so shabbily, the Leader further said.
A cabinet minister of the ruling United National Front government and leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress Arumugam Thondaman told a cheering May Day rally in the tea plantation town of Hatton that separatist and terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was also the leader of the Indian origin Tamils working in the tea plantations, the BBC reported.
Thondaman is the leader of the main Indian Tamil trade union of tea plantation workers.
Showering high praises on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for working very steadfastly for what he called "peace" Thondaman was quoted as saying that during this time the Tamil plantation workers should not bother him to ask for higher wages.
It was further revealed that he has also made allegation that Arumugam Thondaman was negotiating for a hefty sum of money in exchange for CWC’s support to UNP.
In media statements over the weekend, and in a TV debate where he participated last week, Maheswaran publicly alleged that CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman was seeking a financial commitment in exchange for his party’s support at the upcoming presidential election.
Meanwhile, Arumugam Thondaman has categorically denied Maheswaran’s allegation amidst reports that the CWC would throw its weight behind UNP presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe.
It is believed that Maheswaran is planning to create a political scenario in case Arumugam Thondaman supports the UNP by staging a resignation scene from the UNP thus creating a stir and giving the impression that Jaffna Tamils would not support the UNP.
In an informal talk with TheHindu, CWC leader and former Minister Arumugam Thondaman said his party members resigned as Ministers over differences on certain issues but the party had nothing against either the Government or the President.
Thondaman said recently his party had submitted a charter of demands to the President to improve the lot of the plantation sector workers.
The deal for Mr Thondaman is that some of the winning UNP candidates will step down to make way for members of the CWC.
away his grandson should act for him.
Referring to the 19 point proposal the CWC set down as a base for party support, Thondaman said that some of the demands were not met but others were included in the UNP's election manifesto.
Thondaman said that his party decision will be conveyed to President Chandrika Kumaratunga once she returns to the island and a decision on CWC's stay in the government will be decided thereafter.
Ceylon Workers` Congress leader Arumugam Thondaman is said to be going hell for leather to forge an alliance with the LTTE.
Grandpa Saumayamoorthi Thondaman was not infallible, yet he commanded the respect of even his political foes.
Thondaman was one of the few ministers in the UNP government, who had the courage to stand up to President JRJ.
Thondaman has inherited an interesting party symbol?Cock.
Several leading platation leaders and unionists intervened for a settlement between the feuding CWC leaders but the egoistic elder Thondaman remained adamant.
Arumugam Thondaman has much work to do in reuniting the divided forces within the plantation political structure - some of them now in rival organizations.
Arumugam Thondaman has been sworn in as the Minister of Youth Empowerment.
Thondaman Supports the Government - Sangam.
Kana Eena Wana Runa Saumyamurthi Thondaman is his name.
While Arumugam Thondaman was compelled to let go of his Estate Infrastructure portfolio because of his crossover, the ministry's resources became available to the opposing side because Sathasivan was appointed consultant and wielded immense power in the ministry.
Although vexed Thondaman had little choice at that late moment.
as Indian Tamils and consisting mainly of tea and rubber plantation workers.
Parliament to be a member of the current Parliament.
projects and small industries among the Indian Tamil people.
Thondaman was successful in these attempts because of five factors.
Council elections of April 6 early this year, Thondaman lived up to this sobriquet.
clearly that there was no uniform identity of interests.
the armed struggle by Sri Lankan Tamils.
their aspirations against overwhelming odds.
The first tough reaction to the half-day prayers was the Govt.
Arumugan Thondaman is a cabinet minister in the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government of President Rajapakse.