Al-Haj M M Mustapha - Tenth death anniversary :

Political colossus in Eastern Province

Al-Haj A L Ibralebbe

The late Al-Haj M M Mustapha who rode like a colossus in the political arena of the Eastern Province for well over three decades passed away on October 3, 2000. Since he shunned himself from politics for quite sometime the younger generation especially those who are below 40 years may not be aware of the signal role played by him in politics.

Mustapha was born to an influential family in Nintavur on July 16, 1924. His father was Meeralebbe Podi Vanniya and his mother was Meera Ummah. The post of Vanniyar then was next in importance to the Provincial Government Agent. Reputed engineer Ismail and Chief Education Officer Mohamed Ali were his brothers. He received his elementary education in Nintavur, then entered Batticaloa Methodist Central College and subsequently obtained a first class pass in the London Matriculation Examination. He entered the Sri Lanka Law College and passed out as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court with distinction. He followed it up by passing the Inter-Law Exam of the London University.

Political circles

He began his practice as a Lawyer in Batticaloa in 1948 and gained much popularity. It was in this year, the late M H M Ahsraff - PC too was born. Mustapha married the eldest daughter of Gate Mudaliyar M S Kariapper - former Justice Minister. Mustapha’s stature in the Eastern Province rose further with this marriage.

He made his debut in politics by winning the Pottuvil seat in the 1956 General Election. His maiden speech in Parliament kindled much interest about him in the political circles and in the press.

In recognition of his oratorical skills and political acumen late Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike offered him the post of Deputy Finance Minister in his Cabinet. Following the assassination of Bandaranaike Dr W Dahanayake who took over as Prime Minister made Mustapha, the Finance Minister. Thus he became the first Muslim Finance Minister.

Following his success in the 1965 and 1970 General Elections he was made the Deputy Social Services Minister and Deputy Justice Minister respectively.

As a long-standing member of the Eastern University Council situated in Vantharamulla in Batticaloa District, Mustapha had rendered his selfless service towards higher education.

It was a time when trying to obtain funds from the Government for electoral development works was an arduous task at that time. The decentralized budget system was not in force.

Development projects

The powers for dispersed of such funds rested with some Colombo based ministries. But Mustapha due to his own capabilities was able to get sufficient funds diverted to carry out many a development project in the Nintavur-Pottuvil electorates.

It is pertinent to mention here some of the projects carried out in this Addalaichenai Village alone during his time.

* A concrete bridge was built over the Konawatha river.

* Separate inauguration of the Divisional Secretariat and the Pradeshiya Sabha division.

* Construction of a rural hospital in 1957. (The hospital remains in the same position even after 43 years).

* The status of the ‘C’ grade Sub-Post Office was raised to Grade One fully-fledged post office.

* The practising school was raised to the status of a Maha Vidyalaya in 1970.

* Obtained Government recognition for the East Ceylon Arabic College through the good offices of the then Education Minister Dr W Dahanayake who visited the College in 1957.

* Prevailed upon some philanthropists in Beruwela to obtain 12 acres of paddy land for the Arabic College.

* Inaugural work was carried out in respect of ‘Pavankai road’ on September 15, 1975 on Shramadana bases.

* Supplied electricity to the village in 1967.

* Paved the way for many improvements in the Addalaichenai Teaches’ College and helped enrol more trainee teachers.

* The inauguration of the Sambukalappu drainage project.

* Started an agricultural Instructor’s Division.

In short, it is no exaggeration to state that it was Mustapha who put Addalaichenai on the socio-political map of Sri Lanka.

The TULF held a historic meeting in Trincomalee in 1958 when Dr E M V Naganathan put forward a proposal that there should be a Federal system of Government in the North and East.

Mustapha proposed that the Muslims in the North and East too should have the right of self-rule in such an eventuality.

The motion was seconded by A Amirthalingam. Here we see how far-sighted Mustapha had been.

The contribution made by Mustapha to cement Tamil-Muslim relationship was immense. He was in the forefront in bringing about an amiable solution when there was a friction in Tamil-Muslim relationship in 1988-1991.

School facilities

He joined the National Muslim Council started by the late Dr Badiudin Mahmud and travelled with him to India to take part in the talks aimed at ushering in an era of amity between the Tamil-Muslim communities.

It may also be noted that at a later stage he threw in his lot with the S L M C and worked closely with the late M H M Ashraff - PC for the social uplift of the community.

When I was serving as the Divisional Secretary at Nintavur in 1992, I approached him and requested him to donate a plot of land to put up a school in Addappalam where about 140 school going children at that time were deprived of any school facilities.

Mustapha having complied with my request handed over a plot of land in Addappalam to the Department to put up a school building. Today there are 370 students with the teaching staff of seven serving at the school.

The demise of Mustapha, the former Minister and the veteran politician is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community in particular and the country at large. Mustapha created history as a community leader, Attorney-at-Law and a Speaker of par excellence.

The Muslims of this country cannot forget his services.

May Almighty Allah grant him the best place in Jennathual Firdous

The writer is a Retired Divisional Secretary, Addalaichenai