Dr Jayah stood for a united Sri Lanka - Minister

The work of late Dr T B Jayah is more relevant to the present day than ever before, said National Language and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the 51st death anniversary of Alhaj Dr T B Jayah held at Al Iqbal Balika Vidyalaya, Slave Island.

Nanayakkara said that Dr Jayah stood for a united Sri Lanka adding that he was liberal in his outlook and progressive in his ideas.

The political role he played is a part of our country's history and his teachings should be widely spread today amongst all communities, he said.

Member of Parliamentary Council A H M Azwer MP said that Dr Jayah fought against all imperial powers. "The role he played in gaining independence was significant."

He recalled that late S W R D Bandaranaike who moved the Dominion status Bill in the State Council said that the credit of the Bill should be given to Dr Jayah for he made a historic speech convincing the Soulbury Commission to recommend the granting of independence to Ceylon.

"If Dr Jayah had lived today, he would be in the forefront in helping President Mahinda Rajapaksa to rid the country of divisions and foreign conspiracies.

The Muslim community of Sri Lanka should awaken to the truth that they must take the foremost place in the fight against all local and foreign conspirators and divisive forces from harming the Executive Head of the State who was legally elected twice by the ballot of the people, achieving almost sixty per cent of the votes cast," Azwer emphasized.

Alhaj M Ashroff Hussain, President of Dr T B Jayah Memorial Fund presided over the ceremony.

Urban Affairs Senior Minister A H M Fowzie, Western Province Governor S Alavi Mowlana and Faisz Mustapha PC addressed the gathering.

Roweena Ahlip, daughter of late Dr T B Jayah was also present on the occasion with a large number of Dr Jayah's family members.