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My religion is humanism - Minister Bakeer Markar

by Sarath Malalasekera

New Minister of Mass Communication Imthiasz Bakeer Markar was elected to Parliament on the UNP ticket from the Kalutara District bagging 89,147 Preferential votes.

As the Beruwela Chief Organiser he was also able to retain the Beruwela seat for the UNP with a majority of 11068 votes.

A past pupil of Holy Cross College, Kalutara, Zahira College and Ananda College, Colombo the new Mass Communication Minister obtained a special Degree in Mass Communication from the Kelaniya University in 1973-1974.

The new Mass Communication Minister is a son of former Speaker of the UNP Government M. A. Bakeer Markar.

He later entered the Sri Lanka Law College and passed out as an Attorney-at-Law in 1981.

At Ananda College, Minister Imthiasz Bakeer Markar excelled in sports as well as oratory. He captained the school Hockey and Table tennis teams and led it to many victories under his stewardship.

He also led the schools debating team in 1972 bringing much credit to the school.

The innate oratorical skills and leadership qualities displayed during his school days made Minister Markar to take to politics in late life like a duck to water.

As a student in Ananda he pioneered the setting up of the UNP oriented students organisation called the 'Samavadi Shishya Peramuna'. He made his debut into active national politics by addressing the inaugural rally of the 'Puravesi Peramuna' founded by late president Ranasinghe Premadasa.

"My conception of the world is devoid of communal, caste and religious differences. It has a single community and that is humanity. My religion is humanism,' Minister Markar once said explaining his vision.

The close association he had with past UNP leaders late Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake, late Presidents J.R. Jayewardene and R. Premadasa and present leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has sharpened his political skills and acumen to make him a veteran in the politcal field today.

The positions he had held during his long political career speaks for his stature and abilities.

In 1976 he was the treasurer of the UNP Youth Front later held the post of Vice President and Secretary General.

In 1981 won the District Development elections. In 1981 - 1988 he was the Vice President of Kalutara District Development Council. In 1988 he was elected to the Parliament as the first member of the Beruwela seat. In 1989 elected to the Parliament from the Kalutara District.

From 1989 to 1993 he held the post of State Minister of Housing. In 1993 he was appointed as the Minister of Housing. from 1993 to 1995 he was the President of the Sri Lanka Muslim Youth Peramuna.

At the 1994 General Elections he was elected to the Parliament with the highest majority.

Since 1995 he was the president of the nomination committee to select the candidates for the Provincial Council elections.

In 1995 President of the UNP Executive Committee.

At the General Elections held last year Mr. Imthiasz Bakeer Markar was elected to the Parliament from the Kalutara District.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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