Velupillai Kumar Pancharatnam, also known as George Master or Thambi Appa, the chief translator of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s political wing, has passed away today after suffering a heart attack in Kilinochchi.
In a condolence message, Norway’s former peace negotiator Erik Solheim said, “I am saddened by message that George Master just passed away. George was our brilliant interpreter when we met the LTTE leadership during the Sri Lanka peace process. A strong Tamil patriot and a most decent supporter of peace. RIP George!”