Dr. T. B. Jayah, an eminent educationist
January 1st marked the birth anniversary of one of the eminent Muslim
educationists and a noble son of Mother Lanka. It is an appropriate
occasion to look back at the worthy services this great personage had
rendered to the community, society and the country as he was not only an
educationist of high repute and distinction but was also an
incorruptible politician and a distinguished diplomat.
Born to a family of humble means in 1890 near Kandy, he started life
as an assistant teacher at Dharmarajah College, Kandy and later joined
Ananda College where the pioneer Buddhist educationist, P. de S.
Kularatna was the Principal. He impressed everyone there and soon became
popular. However, the predicament of the Muslim community in the field
of education saddened him very much.
As an educationist, he held a pre-eminent position and laboured in it
at different levels. Even he was at Ananda, he had to respond to the
call from the Muslim community to head Zahira College. Even the
principal of Ananda, Kularatna readily agreed stating that Zahira's need
for Jayah's services was much more than that of Ananda.
He wholeheartedly supported the free education policy of the then
government. He also stood for universal, free and compulsory education
sans cast, cread colour and sex. He advocated education in a religious
environment and an ardent supporter of the denominational system of
education. He roused the Muslim community from their apathy and urged
them to take their rightful place along with the other communities.
Dr. Jayah made noteworthy contributions while being at the helm of
Zahira, the premier Muslim school in the country. His services were
great that benefited the community, religion and the country. This
institution has produced men over the years and who have contributed
their share to the public life of the country.
As a politician, he fought for adequate representation for the
minority communities. In the demand for freedom, he persuaded his
colleagues to take upon independence from a national angle and not from
a communal angle.
He stated the freedom for the country was more dear to him than any
communal advantage.
As Minister of Labour and Social Services in the first parliament he
gave off his best and did much to ameliorate the problems and
difficulties of the deprived section in the country. As a diplomat, he
served as the High Commissioner to Pakistan. He forged close links
between the two countries and built bridges of understanding between the
two friendly nations. He made a great success of his posting in that
country where for some time, he also acted as a doyen of the diplomatic
corps. Whatever the positions he held, Dr. Jayah was successful and
popular. In appreciation of his great learning and services the
university of Punjab conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of
Literature. Dr. Jayah was deeply religious and lived according to the
tenets of Islam. The spirit of true religion and culture permiated his
life. It was a fitting culmination to his religious fervour that he
passed away while on a pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca.
Great hearts, strong minds,
true faith and willing hands.
Men whom the lust of office cannot kill,
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy
Men who possess opinions and a will,
Men who have honour,
Men who will not lie.
-- M. Faisal Faleel |
