Minister Fowzie completes 50 years in politics

Jainudeen Ahamath

Mohamed Fowzie entered politics on December 19, 1959 successfully contesting the Colombo Municipal Council and was elected as the youngest Councillor under UNP, representing the Maligawatte ward. From then, step-by-step, he rose to the position of Deputy Mayor and was elected as a youngest Mayor of Colombo in the year 1973.

By this time, he has emerged as a dynamic people’s leader whose prime concern was the welfare of the masses. His ever-endearing smile made the suffering people to run to him seeking relief. The place did not matter. It may be on the road, his office, his residence or even a funeral house his ears are turned to listen to their grievances. There is no difference in this respect, between Mayor Fowzie and the present Minister Fowzie.

During the time as a Mayor he rendered a yeomen service to the people of Colombo, particularly paying personal attention to the suffering masses of Colombo.

Colombo at that time was full of shanties where one can any time see women and children queuing up a solitary water tap in the street-side to collect water.

The People’s Mayor Fowzie saw this and took action to provide a water tap closer to their dwellings. To him, the Municipal rule that barred him doing that was not worth its paper, if it doesn’t contain a humanitarian element. He proudly claimed that ‘as the Mayor, my duty is to serve the people. Rules are for those who are looking for excuses for not to do a thing.’

He strongly believes in the maxim that ‘End justifies the means’.

However, he was penalized by the UNP Government by depriving him of his civic rights for rendering service to the people.

It is of importance to record that Mr. Fowzie joining the SLFP and serving as the First SLFP Mayor of Colombo brought about big change in the politics of Sri Lanka.

The political power then, Prime Minister late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Minister of Local Government Hon. Felix R. Dias Bandaranaike gave him their fullest support and approval for Mayor Fowzie’s People-friendly actions.

As Mayor of Colombo he has many records of achievements. Just to mention, a few of his landmark achievements are:

* Construction of modern supermarket at Kollupitiya.

* Fully equipped Fire Brigade Service with a new building

* Changing the street lamp system to vapour light system

* Re-construction of Colombo Municipal Council workshop.

* Repairs and re-structuring all sections of Common Amenities to provide better service to the people.

In 1991, he led the Independent Team in Colombo Municipal Council Elections and polled 60,000 preferential votes and became the Leader of the Opposition. (This was the highest number of P/votes, and it was higher than the votes polled by the Mayor Designate). In 1993, he successfully contested the Western Provincial Council Elections, leading the People’s Alliance (PA) team in the Colombo District.

He was appointed as the Western Provincial Council Minister of Highways and Housing.

He also served as the Acting Chief Minister. In 1994, he was elected as a Member of Parliament and was appointed as the Minister of Health, Highways and Social Services in the new Cabinet.

In 1997, portfolios were changed and he was appointed as Minister of Transport and Highways.

In 2000, he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament and was appointed as Minister of Highways.

In 2001, he was appointed as Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister in addition to his Portfolio as Highways Minister. In 2002, he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament securing the highest number of preference votes in the Colombo District for his Party and served as an Opposition Member of Parliament.

In 2004, he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament for Colombo District and was appointed Environment and Natural Resources Minister.

In 2005, following the Election of the new President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he was appointed Railways, Transport, Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister.

In 2007, he was appointed Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister.

As Minister who has been holding various portfolios such as social service, Transport, Health, Environment and Natural Resources and Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development his services reached every nook and corner of the country and he emerged as one of the National leaders of importance.

As Petroleum and Petroleum Resources Development Minister action has been taken to launch on offshore oil exploration project and it is due to commence soon. In addition modernizing and expansion of Sapugaskanda oil refinery is also to commence soon.

He regulated Haj Travel facility through the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs and led many Hajj delegations to Saudi Arabia for discussion on Haj arrangements. It was, in pursuant to these discussions that the number of Haj pilgrims were able to be increased up to 7,500.

He also took a keen interest in the education and progress of Muslim girls, rendering various assistance for the education and upliftment. He has helped put up number of school buildings.

His services are extended to all people irrespective of race and religion. To him all the people of our country are children of Mother Lanka.

He had helped large number of Buddhist temples and Hindu Kovils and among his well wishers are large number of Buddhist monks Hindu priests, and Christian fathers. From the beginning he shun communal politics. Human suffering is common to all. He was a restless man distributing relief materials to the tsunami victims all parts of the country.

He is a regular participant at the annual conference of Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs in Egypt.

Acknowledging the limitless benevolence of Allah that made his life beautiful, this is what Fowzie, the Minister, and Fowzie, the man has to say:

“I want to utilize my full potential as a human being to serve another fellow human beings.

I don’t claim to have done wonders. But if I have done at least the minimum towards my country and the countrymen, I’ll be more than satisfied. I claim no achievements. If there are any, they are owing to the benevolence of Allah. I thank Allah for all my success.”