Tibetan ‘Sikyong’ is ‘President’ in English

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Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the head of the exile Tibetan administration at Dharamshala. (Photo courtesy: al.com)
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, the head of the exile Tibetan administration at Dharamshala. (Photo courtesy: al.com)

(TibetanReview.net, May07, 2017) – The cabinet of the exile Tibetan administration at Dharamshala, India, is said to have decided Apr 26 that Sikyong would henceforth be rendered in English as ‘President’. This is the first time an English term for the executive head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has been decided upon.

Sikyong is the chief executive of the CTA directly elected by eligible Tibetans living in exile by universal franchise. The title ‘Sikyong’ – besides ‘Desri’ and ‘si-tsab’ – has historically been used to refer to regents who ruled Tibet in the absence of or during the minority or incapacity of the Dalai Lamas.

Tibet.net, the official website of the CTA, said May 6 that an internal circular was issued by the Kashag (cabinet), saying Sikyong would henceforth be rendered in English as ‘President’ of the CTA.

Tibet.net began referring to the Sikyong as President since Apr 28 in the context of the current incumbent Dr Lobsang Sangay’s visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Some Tibetan news sites have previously referred to the Sikyong as Prime Minister, although the exact Tibetan term used for it previously is ‘Silon’. Likewise, the Tibetan term usually used to refer to the President of a state is “Sizin’.

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