(English translation of the editorial published in Eelanadu, a Jaffna-based daily, on 21 June 2026.)

Ever since Dr. Archchuna Ramanathan was elected to Parliament as an independent member from the Jaffna District in the November 2024 general election, his behavior in the public sphere has been infuriating. It is an insult not only to the wisdom of those who voted for him but to the intellect of the entire Jaffna community.

After projecting himself as a whistleblower exposing irregularities at the Chavakachcheri Base Hospital, he gained popularity among a section of the Jaffna public and subsequently entered public life. However, throughout his political journey, his continuous clownish and mischievous behavior has triggered unnecessary controversies at a time when the Tamil community is already facing a highly crisis-ridden situation.

Archchuna’s conduct in Parliament, District Coordinating Committee meetings, and Divisional Secretariat Coordinating Committee meetings has posed a major obstacle to making responsible decisions to resolve the people’s issues.

During the one and a half years he has served as a Member of Parliament, his tenure has been filled with incomprehensible points of order and speeches unbecoming of the dignity of Parliament. As a result, parliamentary proceedings have been disrupted on several occasions.

In May 2025, Archchuna was forcibly evicted from the chambers on the orders of the Speaker for continuously disrupting parliamentary activities. Even after that, there has been no change in his approach; instead, his rowdyism has only intensified.

The manner in which he speaks about and handles experienced officials, both inside and outside Parliament as well as in the Northern Region’s District Development Committee meetings, is highly uncivilized and lacks even the minimum dignity expected of a medical doctor.

When observing the Jaffna community’s lethargic attitude and lack of significant pushback against such disgusting behavior, one cannot help but ask the question: Is this the same community that passed through a three-decade-long  struggle filled with unimaginable sacrifices and losses?

A large number of individuals who enjoy and admire the ‘clownish’ dramas he stages for social media publicity, and those who continuously share these posts, are short-sighted fools who fail to understand the damage Archchuna’s behavior is causing to the Tamil community.

While speaking in Parliament, he even mentioned assassinating a politician from Tamil Nadu. To control such transgressive behavior from an independent MP who operates beyond traditional party discipline, joint efforts involving strict institutional preventive measures and public pressure are essential. This can no longer be left unchecked.

Since he is not bound by the whip of any political party within Parliament, the primary responsibility for maintaining parliamentary discipline regarding matters involving Archchuna lies directly and entirely with the Speaker of Parliament and the presiding members.

Why have his ‘pranks’ been tolerated for so long in Parliament, District Development Committees, and Divisional Secretariat Coordinating Committee meetings? What is the political motive behind this? Suspicions are strengthening among the Tamil people that the government is using Archchuna to turn Tamil politics into a mockery.

Why do those presiding over the various sessions fail to stop Archchuna’s undignified speeches and the antics he performs under the assumption that everyone else is a ‘fool’?

During last week’s Tellippalai Divisional Secretariat Coordinating Committee meeting, Archchuna repeatedly and aggressively threatened MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, shouting, “thookki adippanda, thookki adippanda … vayIpoththu” (I will smash you, I will smash you… shut up).

Why didn’t the presiding MP from the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), Bhavanandarajah (who is also a medical doctor), reprimand him? Why did he continue to conduct the meeting even after a violent threat? Furthermore, not even a minor protest was shown by the audience present there.

Although the Sri Lankan electoral system does not currently have a mechanism to remove or recall a Member of Parliament mid-term, the ultimate power to control an unruly independent representative lies solely with the ballot box.

Keeping Archchuna’s disgraceful behavior in mind, Northern voters must teach him a lesson in the future so that he cannot even dream of elections again.

Perverse and toxic individuals like him, who defame Tamil womanhood, must be prevented from ever turning their heads toward politics again.

Voters who chose him from the Jaffna District in the last general election…. Do you at least now feel remorse for the injustice you have done to the Tamil community? Or do you not…?