Marleen an upright personality

Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie said yesterday he was saddened to hear the sudden demise of Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. A.A.M. Marleen.

Marleen was an upright personality concerned very much about the welfare of common masses. Being a legal luminary, he was a progressive thinker. He identified himself with the progressive political movements in the country, the Minister said.

Marleen headed the Moors' Islamic Cultural Home as its President and rendered a yeoman service to the community. He was responsible for getting printed a large number of copies of the Sinhala translations of the Holy Quran, Fowzie said.

He has been very helpful as the Ambassador in Saudi Arabia in making arrangements for Hajj pilgrims and the welfare of Sri Lanka employees.

He also initiated action to reclaim the Sri Lankan House in Mecca. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community in particular and to the whole country in general, Fowzie said.