Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah

Managing Editor of the Jaffna based, Tamil language Namathu Eelanadu newspaper, former Member of Parliament Mr. Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah, was killed on August 20, 2006.

Mr. Sivamaharajah's home inside the Sri Lankan Army declared Tellippalai High Security Zone (HSZ) was raided by unidentified gunmen who shot him dead. At the time of his death Mr. Sivamaharajah was campaigning openly against the displacement of Tamil civilians from their homes due to large swaths of territory in the Jaffna district coming under the control of the army.

His murder was condemned by UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura.