National Leader Prabhakaran – Mathivathani Marriage

Statements on Tamil National Leader
National Leader Prabhakaran – Mathivathani Marriage

National Leader Prabhakaran – Mathivathani Marriage

1983–84: Background of the Student Struggle During the period of 1983, when the armed struggle was in full swing, violence against Tamils continued throughout the Sinhala nation.

Due to this, Tamil students studying in southern Sri Lanka were left without security in the south. Following this, Tamil students studying in southern universities requested the Sinhala government to provide them with the facilities to continue their education at the University of Yarlpanam in the north.

However, the Sinhala government did not heed that request.

Yarlpanam University Fast

In the backdrop of this, on 9th January 1984, nine students, five male and four female, from Peradeniya and Katupotha Universities, started an indefinite hunger strike at Yarlpanam University.

The Sinhala government was able to enter the university campus, arrest the students who were on hunger strike, and imprison them.

Furthermore, on the 6th day of the fast, one female student’s life was in danger.

Students taken to India

In this situation, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam intervened and safely took these students from the hunger strike camp and took them to India.

The students who were brought to India were first taken to Madurai and treated at a private hospital there. Among the students, Janagan and Padikalingam joined the LTTE.

The other students went their own way.

Prabhakaran’s decision regarding the girls

Prabhakaran did not want to keep the students in Madurai and send them to training camps. Therefore, the four girls from Yarlpanam, namely:

Mathivathani
Vinoja
Jaya
Lalitha

were sent to the home of the Balasingham-Adele couple in Thiruvanmaiyur.

Mathivathani: Background

Among the four girls sent by Prabhakaran, Mathivathani, known as “Mathi”, attracted everyone with her slim body, pale complexion, sweet face, and playful nature, Adele Balasingham has mentioned in her book “The Will to Freedom”.

Mathivathani is from the village of Madathuveli in Pungududithivu. Born into a devout Hindu family, the daughter of Erambu and Chinnammal. Her father was a teacher known as “Erambu Master” in the village. Growing up in such a family environment, Mathivathani was endowed with devotion, gentleness, compassion, and knowledge. She also excelled in education.

Education and Fasting

She had opted for veterinary medicine, but due to her family’s farming background, she chose to study agricultural science.

When attacks on Tamil students took place while she was studying at the University of Peradeniya. She returned home and was staying with her parents when the hunger strike began.

Mathivathani, who started the fast, as mentioned above, came to the Balasingham-Adele home in Thiruvanmiyur.

The environment of Thiruvanmiyur home

Amidst social pressures, the arrival of the four women transformed the Thiruvanmiyur home into a place full of joy and vitality.

The four of them took over the responsibility of cooking. Balasingham enjoyed Yarlpanam cuisine. Special dishes were also prepared on the days when Prabhakaran visited the house.

The Moment of Love

Mathivathani, who was naturally active and mischievous, noticed people pouring colored water on each other on the street on the day of the “Holi festival”. On the same “Holi festival” day, when Prabhakaran came to the house, Mathivathani poured the water in which she had dissolved turmeric powder on him, when he, who was in a white shirt, got ready to go on another important business, opened the door.

Prabhakaran, who was not expecting this, was a bit shocked as no one had ever taken such a privilege with him. In anger at not being able to use his shirt, he scolded Mathivathani.
At this, Mathivathani ran away crying.

Later, it was at that moment that he calmed down Mathivathani, who was crying alone, that the love trap was born. Prabhakaran not only accepted Mathivathani love but also expressed his love.

The decision to marry

This love created some problems for Prabhakaran both within and outside the organization. Some senior members considered it a violation of moral principles. During that difficult time, the Balasingham-Adele couple supported Prabhakaran.

Balasingham said that marriage was a necessity for human feelings and that there should be flexibility in the rules. He also proposed that marriage should be made a general rule.

Parental Consent

Before arranging the marriage, Mathivathani´s parents were informed, and their consent was also obtained.

Initially, “Your life will always be in danger,” but after Mathivathani said
“I am ready to sacrifice my life for him,” her father Erambu also gave his full consent.

Marriage

On October 1, 1984, Mathivathani and Prabhakaran got married in a very simple manner at Thirupporur Murugan Temple in Tamil Nadu with K.P. as the best man.