User:Jeyandan

'N.NADARAJAH THE CHAIRMAN OF POINT PEDRO TOWN'

On 21st September 1918 Mr.Nadarajah was born in Point Pedro, Jaffna, to Mr. and Mrs. Namasivayam. At the age of thirty he made a mark in Town Council Elections in 1948 and invested his time in making Point Pedro noticeable on the map of Sri Lanka in later years. It is a known fact that he was one of the longest serving Chairman in the history of local government politics in Sri Lanka. This tiny man, standing at merely five feet, started his journey from humble beginnings. He was known as "Kaddai" Nadarajah and soon became a tall leader in the eyes of the public and fondly remembered as "Chairman" Nadarajah, a man respected for his services to Point Pedro Town for almost half a century. He continued to be elected as Chairman, except for a brief period of one year, until his demise. This coming year 2018 happens to be Mr Nadarajah’s birth centenary. To celebrate, this article will be looking back on some of the great things he did when he served as the Chairman of the Point Pedro Town Council. Mr Nadarajah contested unsuccessfully as the candidate for the Point Pedro Electorate on behalf of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress Party for four times in March/July in 1960, 1965, and 1970. In addition to this, he also contested in the last election as an independent candidate in the year 1997. He managed to achieve 2521 votes but unfortunately lost by 3158 in March 1960. Then, in July 1960, he polled 3968 votes and, again, lost by 4258. In ’65 he amassed 6614 votes and lost by 950 in 1965. A significant decrease to the amount he lost by. ’75 came by and, once again, Mr Nadarajah lost out. He polled a significant 8902 votes and lost by a measly 315 in 1970. Finally, against the wave of TULF in 1977, he polled 6049 votes as an independent candidate and lost by 6940 votes. By this time his ambition in representing the Point Pedro Electorate had faded. Despite this, he stayed as the Chairman of Point Pedro Town until he passed away in 1978.

He was the past-president of Hartley College OBA and was the captain of the Volleyball Team of the Point Pedro Sports Club. He was also in the Tennis players circle of Hartley College. Additionally, he was the charter member of the Rotary Club and a founding member of the Recreation Club. He presided over various associations including the Co-Operatives Union. His services to the Point Pedro Electorate, in regard to development and employment in particular to youths are immeasurable. However, this article will only be about Mr Nadarajah’s services to Point Pedro Town.

During his tenure as Chairman in the 1950’s, he triggered some very important events in order to make Point Pedro what it is today.

One of these events was the opening of the public library in 1950. It was placed in front of Sivan Kovil on Thumpalai Road. As the city’s carer, he was privileged to have the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr Dudley Shelton Senanayake, declare the library as open. It should also be noted that Mr V. N Mylewaganam, the then Councillor for the Theni Ward, donated his land for the library. As thanks, Chairman Nadarajah had his portrait hung up in said library in the late 70’s.

A new town council on KKS Road adjacent to the Methodist Girls College was built at the initiation of Chairman Nadarajah and declared open in 1954 by Mr V. C Jayasuria, Commissioner of Local Councils.

A bus depot was opened which paved the way for travellers in Jaffna. It made travelling from the following much easier overall: Nelliyady-Jaffna Valvettithurai-Thodamanaru- Kankesanthurai Ampan- Kudaththanai-Nagarkovil-Maruthankeni This inclusion literally made Point Pedro Town the Centre of Vadamarachi and a key destination for people to visit.

Mr. Nadarajah was instrumental in persuading Mr C. Loganathan, the General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon, to open a branch of said bank in Point Pedro. This helped the Business Sector of the town immensely.

Three Civic Receptions were afforded to Dignitaries of various walks of life in 50’s which is remarkable.

Firstly, Mr V. V Giri, the High Commissioner for India (who later became the Vice President of India), was honoured by Chairman Nadarajah as he unveiled a statue of Mahathma Ghandi in front of the market.

Secondly, Mr V. Navartnasamy of Valvettithurai was honoured by the people of Point Pedro at a mammoth Civic Reception at Point Pedro beach for having swam Palk straight from Valvettithurai in Ceylon to Kodikkarai in India and thereby creating the World Record. The Queen awarded the British Empire Medal in Queens House in Colombo. Mr. Nadarajah presented him with the key of the Town in a Victory Casket and also laid a Memorial Stone in his memory at the same venue.

Thirdly, Mr Krishnamoorthy (Kalki) of Tamil Nadu, the esteemed writer of “Ponniyien Selvan” and various other historical novels, was honoured by Chairman Nadarajah at the Point Pedro Public Library for his services to Tamil Literature.

When Mr Nadarajah assumed duty as Chairman, all other roads, except the Main Road, were all coarse gravel. He actively participated in making all roads and lanes in Point Pedro that of tar. As well as the roads, the Chairman began bringing electricity to his town. Soon, electricity was connected to all residential properties and roads. Lanes were soon all lit up with lamp posts. A new building for the Fish Market was built in First Cross Street. A new Council Ward was created due to the requests of the people of Mathanai. As the Town Council’s revenue increased, due the able administration of the Chairman, Point Pedro Town’s status was upgraded to an Urban Council. This, once again, made history in the local councils of Jaffna province. Mr Nadarajah was elected as the first Chairman of the new Urban Council. Thanks to the people of Point Pedro for giving him the mandate to die as their Chairman.

Chairman Nadarajah’s dream project of building a new market in the town square was accomplished in the year 1976. As an admirer of history and heritage, he planned to retain the original cross-shaped market place. The new market had 29 shops facing outside the roads and 29 shops facing inside the main hall of the old cross-shaped marketplace. The market was completed with 58 shops for various wholesale trading. He accomplished his dream project purely on Council Funds without recourse to any Central/Local Government Funds.

Mr Nadarajah passed away a few years later in 1978. When the news spread, all shops were closed, black flags were raised and the town came to a standstill. The body was cremated three days later. At the funeral, almost all political party leaders were in attendance and paid their respects to this most affectionate Son of the Soil. His political opponents Mr Thurairatnam MP, Mr P Veeravagu and Mr Velummylum were among the numerous speakers who made touching funeral orations at the cemetery.

That was the end of an era in the history of Point Pedro Town. Later, Mr M Velummylum, who succeeded as the Chairman of the Town, built an open-air stadium entitled “Nadarajar Arangu” on the beach of Point Pedro Town. Mr Nadarajah’s family and friends are eternally grateful to Mr M Veummylum for his most appropriate and kind gesture. Although Mr Nadarajah is no more, his memory will prevail purely for his unblemished service to the people of Point Pedro.