Former Principal dies

COLOMBO: Former Principal of Zahira College, Colombo and Dharga Town, Aluthgama S. L. M. Shafie Marikar expired yesterday. He was 82 at the time of his demise. He leaves his wife Khairun Nisaya and son Abul Ahad.

He was the founder of the All Ceylon Muslim Educational Conference and was Chairman of its Executive Council for 45 years.

He was a Senior Member of the All Ceylon Muslim League and served as the Chairman of its Educational committee.

Marikar was a cousin brother of late Speaker Deshamanya Al Haj M. A. Bakeer Markar and A. W. M. Razick Marikar, senior Attorney-at-Law at the Kalutara Bar and former Chairman of the Beruwala Urban Council. He was also uncle of former Minister Imthiyaz Bakeer Markar.

His Janaza took place last evening at the Dehiwala Muslim burial grounds.

Western Province Governor S. Alavi Mowlana and Advisor to the President A. H. M. Azwer, in a joint statement yesterday recalled the yeomen and dedicated services of Marikar to promote particularly Muslim education in the country and his commitment in working towards creating a united Sri Lanka.