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| Sunday, 7 September 2003 |
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Sons and daughters of Sri Lanka Seventh death anniversary : Al-Haj Bakeer Markar strove for national harmony Late Al-Haj Bakeer Markar was born on 12th May 1917 at Hakeem Villa in Beruwala. He received his early education at St. Sebastian Vidyalaya in Colombo and joined Zahira College, Maradana. He later entered Law College and passed out as a proctor. His multi-faceted life placed him in various positions as a teacher, lawyer, politician and above all as the Speaker of Parliament and Governor of the Southern Province. These high positions helped him a great deal to serve the masses. Maradana Zahira College and its Principal late T. B. Jayah provided the necessary background and guidance to Bakeer Markar's public career. He inherited the attributes needed for public service by birth. He was the hallmark of integrity, sincerity, simplicity and patience. These shining qualities stood him in good stead as a leader among the multi-ethnic society in Sri Lanka. In the sphere of religion too, he made his mark as a devout Muslim. He made many speeches in Parliament urging the introduction of religious education in all the schools in Sri Lanka. He stood for inter-racial harmony in Sri Lanka and his proficiency in all three languages namely Tamil, Sinhala and English proved to be a big boon for this avowed interest in him. The following excerpt of a speech he made in Parliament illustrates clearly the ambition he cherished for national harmony in Sri Lanka. "I feel proud of myself as a Muslim. At the same time I doubly feel proud of myself being a Sri Lankan. Because any citizen in this country can perform his religious duties independently. Islam treats the entire human race as the nation. We extend our hands of friendship to all the communities." As a parliamentarian and also as the Speaker there, Bakeer Markar exhibited impartiality and commitment in his duties. These qualities won him applause and praise from all the sections in Parliament. His god-fearing qualities helped him to overcome innumerable obstacles and challenges which confronted him both in politics and public life. He worked tirelessly at the national and social levels while he devoted himself for the well-being of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. His desire to mobilise Muslim youth at national level resulted in the formation of Muslim League Youth Fronts at village level throughout Sri Lanka. He became the guiding force of this movement and made the voice of this movement as the voice of the Muslim community. Bakeer Markar realised the importance of the media and media persons in this field and started the tabloid 'Dawn' in Tamil and English amidst many an obstacle. In spite of his busy schedules in politics, he found time to involve himself in social activities as well. When the cyclone hit the Eastern province in 1979, he used his good office to get assistance from Iraq for the affected ones along with the Saddam Hussein village entire cost of which was met by the then Iraqi government. He also rendered a yeoman service when a plane crash of Indonesian Haj pilgrims took place in Negombo. Relief activities led by him during this plane crash won him praise of the Indonesian government. He also rendered immense service to the people affected by the breach of Kantalai tank in 1986. This noble man with piety, love and affection has, left behind a heir to carry forward his vision and mission is the Mass Communication Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar. Late Bakeer Markar who devoted his life time for the well-being of the Muslim community and for the promotion of national harmony in this country is indeed a national leader worthy of emulation. On this day when we remember him, let us strive hard ourselves to bring to fruition the vision he set forth in realising national harmony in Sri Lanka. S. M. Kamaldeen ********* Fourteenth death anniversary : Remembering Merril Kariyawasam Mr. Merril Kariyawasam, former M.P. for Agalawatta and Deputy Minister of Teaching Hospitals and Women's Affairs who was assassinated 14 years ago on 5th September, 1989. Was born on April 06, 1937, he was a brilliant student at the Law College and he took his oaths as an Advocate in 1964. Subsequently, he contested the Kalutara Urban Council as a UNP candidate and was elected as a U.C. member. He functioned as UNP organizer for Agalawatta electorate and was able to revive the party within a short time; which was a leftist strong-hold. He took leadership in People's movements by visiting each house within the electorate. He contested Agalawatta as a UNP candidate and won the seat defeating Dr. Colvin R. de Silva with a large majority and was elected M.P. He took untiring efforts to raise the living conditions of villagers in Agalawatta electorate, which had been totally neglected. He came to the assistance of rural children by improving educational facilities in the area and was constantly engaged in uplifting the educational standard of the school in his electorate. He was particularly interested in the sphere of education and in many other fields whereby several acres of unutilized land were distributed among the most deserving people without any political bias for planting tea. It was a success and the beneficiaries have got out of poverty, which they experienced for generations. The present day living standards of the people of Dilhena, Hedigalle etc will bear testimony to this. Even his political opponents concede this fact. Due to the foresight of Mr. Merril Kariyawasam and with this initiative, Agalawatta electorate has today become a tea growing area thus uplifting the standards of living of the tea growers 99% of whom are smallholders. Elected to the office of President of the Public Service Trade Union Federation he took leadership in trade unions, which were defunct at that time. He always resisted certain injustices faced by workers and took steps to restore their rights. There was another side to Merril's character a sensitive, analytical and philosophic nature. It was this aspect of his character that surfaced in his publications on varying subjects. Mr. Merril Kariyawasam was proficient in several fields. His eloquence and knowledge in various subjects were remarkable. He was a good orator and also a writer. He contributed articles to newspapers and journals. He had a keen interest in the arts and produced a film "Muhudu Lihini". Both the play and the script were his own creations which were held in high esteem by critics. An area in which his skill and sensitivity were amply demonstrated was that of film production. His first film "Muhudu Lihini" won him a prestigious award. It was his determination to discharge any assignment entrusted to him with dedication, even at the risk of his life. He was held in high esteem for honesty and dedication. He always spoke true to his conscience. Mr. Kariyawasam the veteran politician, writer and filmmaker and above all a person acquainted with humanity dedicated his life for the welfare of his electorate and the country. The demise of such a popular figure was a great loss not only to Agalawatta but to the entire Kalutara district. It is our duty to remember his virtues on this occasion on behalf of the people of Agalawatta. Lal Dharmapriya Gamage, Minister Assisting, Foreign Affairs, Member of Parliament. |
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