Introduction: The Sacrifice of a Journalist Who Spoke the Truth
19 October 2000 —
Not merely a date, but a day written in the blood of a journalist who became the voice of the voiceless — the man who revealed to the world the sufferings and struggles of the Tamil people.
On that night, in the heart of Jaffna, the occupying forces’ henchmen brutally murdered Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, the Northern Correspondent of BBC and PC Radio (Tamil and Sinhala services), inside his own home.
This was not the murder of a man alone —
it was the murder of truth, the murder of journalism, and the silencing of the Tamil people’s voice.
Forged in the Fire of Journalism
For over a decade, Nimalarajan worked tirelessly in the field of journalism, earning deep respect and trust from the public.
His reports carried clarity, integrity, and courage.
His voice resonated like bronze.
His criticisms cut like a blade.
He fearlessly exposed the atrocities of the Sri Lankan military, the daily miseries of the Jaffna people, and the deceitful political maneuvers of the government.
He was not merely a journalist —
He was the living voice of the Tamil nation.
The Power of Revealing the Truth
Between 1995 and 2000, Jaffna remained under the iron grip of the Sinhala military.
International journalists had no access to the ground realities.
Yet, Nimalarajan broke through that wall of silence and darkness.
● He documented the army’s brutalities.
● He brought the people’s pain to the world’s attention.
● Through a thorough investigation, he exposed the lies of the Sri Lankan government.
Each of his reports peeled away the masks of the occupying regime.
And for that very reason, he became a target of hate — from the military, from political opportunists, and from armed collaborators.
The Anaivilunthan Battle and Nimalarajan’s Courage
During the Anaivilunthan battle in 2000, the fighting spread across the Thenmarachchi region.
Civilians fled to save their lives.
But the army, fearing for its own security, prevented them from leaving.
At that critical moment — risking his own life — Nimalarajan traveled directly into those areas.
He interviewed the displaced families and broadcast their voices to the world through the BBC and Sandeshaya.
His reporting shook the Sri Lankan military command and placed the Colombo government under global scrutiny.
As a result, international human rights organizations pressured the government to allow the safe movement of civilians.
It was not just a victory for a journalist —
it was a victory for truth itself.
The Political Roots of His Assassination
Nimalarajan’s killing was no random act of violence.
It was a political assassination, meticulously planned.
His ability to reveal the truth terrified the authorities.
His reports exposed the coordinated web of violence linking the army, government, and paramilitary collaborators.
To silence that fearless voice, they chose death as their answer.
That night, the armed attackers entered his home,
shot him dead, and wounded his family members.
His blood became the price of media freedom in Tamil Eelam.
Shock of the International Community
After his killing, international media and human rights bodies expressed outrage.
Organizations like Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International, and the Committee to Protect Journalists called for an investigation.
Yet, the Sri Lankan state chose silence — as always.
Even today, there has been no justice for Nimalarajan.
His killers continue to walk free in the shadows,
and that same darkness still hangs over press freedom in the island.
A Symbol of Tamil National Media Freedom
Mylvaganam Nimalarajan was not just a reporter;
He was a symbol of Tamil national journalism.
When alive, he spoke truth fearlessly;
In death, his truth continues to echo.
His life remains a lesson for every journalist and truth-seeker:
“A journalist is not a servant of power —
He is the voice of the people’s conscience.”
Conclusion: A Flame That Still Burns
Today, 19 October 2025,
twenty-five years have passed since his assassination.
Yet his memory continues to shine in the hearts of all truth-loving Tamils.
His blood is woven into the very foundation of Tamil journalism.
His courage and integrity stand as a guiding light for the future generations of journalists.
Mylvaganam Nimalarajan was killed —
But truth lived on through him.
Mylvaganam Nimalarajan —
The symbol of truth who revealed the suffering of the Tamil people to the world.
Though his voice was silenced,
his truth still speaks.
Written by: Eelaththu Nilavan
Tamil National Historian, Analyst of Global Politics, Human Rights, Economics, Intelligence, and Military Affairs
