A commemorative event was held in Bondy, a suburb of Paris, on 12 July 2025 to mark the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a statue of Dr. Anton Balasingham, the former political advisor of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and a central figure in the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle, Tamil Guardian reported on July 15.
Tamil Guardian
report said: “The Mayor of Bondy, Stephen Hervé, participated in the ceremony and lit the public flame in remembrance. Members of the Bondy City Council also took part in the proceedings.
In recognition of Balasingham’s lifelong contribution to the Tamil cause, the Bondy City Council granted permission to erect a statue in his honour at Parc de la Mare à la Veuve, a municipal park in the town
Balasingham is remembered as a key intellectual, strategist, and diplomat of the Tamil liberation movement. As the LTTE’s chief negotiator and political spokesperson, he played a pivotal role in articulating the Tamil nation’s political aspirations to the international community. Balasingham brought both ideological clarity and diplomatic skill to peace negotiations, including the historic 2002 Ceasefire Agreement.
Balasingham spent much of his later life in London, where he engaged in political advocacy while also undergoing treatment for chronic health conditions. Until his death in 2006, he remained the principal political advisor to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, who conferred upon him the title “The Voice of the Nation” in recognition of his unwavering commitment and unique contribution to the Tamil struggle.
The 12 July ceremony was jointly organised by Tamil Traditionet Network France and Association KARTHIKAI 27, two France-based organisations working to preserve Tamil identity and historical memory. The statue will stand as a tribute to Balasingham’s enduring legacy.”