S. J. V. Chelvanayakam Memorial Award
This Award is presented to a person or an institution that is consistent in advancing the cause of Eelam nation and its people, within or outside of Sri Lanka by active political engagement, participation, research and publications; and by steadfast advocacy in the international fora with international political institutions, governments, statesmen and others who support and value the fundamental rights of all peoples and nationalities for autonomy and self-determination.
The Award is presented to a Person or an Institution selected and approved by the Jury appointed by the Prime Minister of the TGTE.
The late Mr. S. J. V. Chelvanayakam was endearingly called ‘Thanthai Chelva’ by the people of Tamil Eelam. This Award is instituted to remember and to promote Thanthai Chelva’s political history, undaunted commitment to the Freedom of the people of Tamil Eelam and his vision for non-violent struggle for Tamil self-rule and Statehood in the Tamil homelands.
Award recipients:
‘Maamanithar’ Professor Alagiah Thurairajah Memorial Award
This Award is presented to a Tamil Scholar who is chosen from among the Global Tamil population. The Candidate is selected for having made exceptional contributions in her/ his chosen field of expertise through innovative research, inventiveness and deemed to have accomplished excellence in knowledge building in one or more of the fields of Science, Engineering, Technology, Medicine, Commerce, Industry or Jurisprudence.
The Award is presented to a Person or an Institution selected and approved by the Jury appointed by the Prime Minister of the TGTE.
Professor Alagiah Thurairajah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna was an exceptionally accomplished academic His contributions to science, engineering and technology are highly valued and admired. A theory in civil engineering is named after him as Thurairajah theory of soil mechanics. The Highest Honour of Maamanithar was conferred on him by the Thesia Thalaivar in 1994 for his courageous advocacy of the Fundamental Rights of the Tamils for Self-Determination and Statehood.
This Award is presented to a person of Tamil origin who is selected by the Jury appointed by the Prime Minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam. The Recipient is chosen from among the Global Tamil population from countries with significant Tamil population. The Candidate is recognized for having made highly commendable and exceptional contributions in her/ his chosen field of expertise through innovative research, inventiveness and deemed to have accomplished excellence in knowledge building and knowledge translation in any one or more of the fields of Science, Engineering, Technology, Medicine, Commerce, Industry or Jurisprudence.
Award recipients:
Nelson Mandela Memorial Award
This Annual Award named after President Nelson Mandela is presented to a person or an institution from any country across the globe for promoting peace and reconciliation and for audaciously advocating on behalf of War Victims, Refugees, Stateless persons, Victims of Torture, prisoners of conscience, ethnic and national minorities and de-territorialized populations.
The Award is presented to a Person or an Institution selected and approved by the Jury appointed by the Prime Minister of the TGTE.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. He studied at University College of Fort Hare and did a degree in Law at the University of Witwatersrand. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party’s apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted in 1961. Mandela was arrested again in 1962 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela’s reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.
He spent 27 years in prison, much of it in a cell on Robben Island. The rest of his incarceration was in Pollsmoor Prison, on convictions for crimes that included sabotage committed while he spearheaded the struggle against apartheid.
Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, his advocacy of a policy of reconciliation and negotiation helped lead the transition to multi-racial democracy in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid, he was widely praised, even by former opponents.
From 1994 to 1999, Mandela was President of South Africa. He was the first such African to be elected in fully representative democratic polls.
In the 21st century Nelson Mandela’s legacy stands out as the most powerful symbol of hope for the oppressed people across the world.
Award recipients: