A.C.S. Hameed: A symbol of communal harmony

Kabir HASHIM

PERSONALITY: Eight years ago in 1999 on this day of September 3, Sri Lanka lost a great son of the soil. Deshamanaya Dr. A.C.S. Hameed who hailed from Akurana, Harispattuwa in the hill capitol of Kandy amply demonstrated that Patriotism is not limited by ethnicity or religion.

Born and bred a true and pious Muslim, Dr. Hameed cut across ethnic lines and racial borders in serving Mother Lanka and its people without favor or discrimination to anyone. In return, he was loved, honored respected and even revered by people of all communities.

The services he rendered to Sri Lanka have been diverse amongst which to name a few are, building Sri Lanka’s image in the internattional community, negotiating with the LTTE and even risking his life by visiting Jaffna on behalf of the Government, strengthening the Higher Education system, making room for legal reforms in the legal system, contributing to social and economic reforms in the country and most of all forging racial amity amongst all communities.

When Dr. Hameed passed away in September 1999, he was the most senior Sri Lankan Legislator in Parliament. He was also the chairman of the United National Party. I had known and respected Dr. Hameed for many years.

My father A. L. M. Hashim who was also a senior organiser for the United National Party under the late J. R. Jayewardene used to take me along for various political discussions when I was a young student. I remember staring with great awe and respect when I would come face to face with Dr. Hameed.

In 1994, when General Elections were called, I decided to contest from Kegalle, an opportunity which had evaded my father for years.

I had to face Dr. Hameed at the nominations board and he did not spare me. I was grilled for a good 15 minutes about my suitability. In the end I had passed the test and was selected. When I entered politics in 1994, I began to observe house proceedings and learn. Dr. Hameed used to be a regular speaker and I began to learn from him.

His speeches were measured and full of facts. He began to advise me whenever he saw me in the opposition lobby. One of the things he advised me was about building a particular image in Parliament and not to copy someone else. I took his advice and always prepared myself for a debate well in advance.

Whenever I could find Dr. Hameed with free time, I would sit by him and ask him for his views on Politics and to this day his advise has helped me keep on the right track. I remember once when the then foreign minister, late Laksman Kadirgamar brought a bill to Parliament, which was to give favoured status to one of the ASEAN countries.

By this time the other ASEAN states had made diplomatic protests and Kadirgamar was now in an embarrassing position to withdraw the bill lest he antagonises the country for which the bill favoured.

At this time, he came across to the opposition lobby and sought advise from Dr. Hameed. It was Dr. Hameed who advised Kadirgamar on how to make some amendments without having to antagonize either party.

I realized on that day the wealth of knowledge and experience Dr. Hameed had garnered over the years as one of the world’s most experienced foreign ministers. When I assumed duties as Minister of Higher Education in 2002, I was happy to note that I was using the same room where Dr. Hameed had sat as foreign minister and where he had summoned members of the LTTE for discussions to restart peace talks in the 1980’s. All of the old staff in the Ministry had a good word for him.

Dr. Hameed was a teacher by profession and a man of humble beginnings. In 1956 he joined the UNP and contested in 1960 and won and was returned undefeated for 39 years.

In 1977 he became a cabinet minister under J.R. Jayewardene and held many portfolios amongst which the most illustrious was that of Foreign Minister. Apart from the foreign ministry, he has been in Higher Education, Justice and Science and Technology.

There is another side to Dr. Hameed apart from his zest to serve society. He was very interested in literature and was a great poet and has a number of publications of Poetry to his credit.

He was guided by the teachings of the Quran and his poetic outbursts contained themes that were guided by the principles of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet (Sal). His messages in poems were for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

On this eight death anniversary which falls on September 3rd I wish to remember this great and gentle man: A man who was a tower of strength to the UNP, an inspiration to the Muslim community, a classic example of inter racial harmony to the country and a father to the people of Kandy District. I pray to Almighty Allah to bless his soul.

(The writer is Member of Parliament, Kegalle District)