Muslims lived in harmony with other communities - SC Judge

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Muslims of Sri Lanka lived in perfect harmony with the Sinhalese and other communities for centuries and fought hand in hand with Sinhalese against foreign invaders, Supreme Court Judge Justice Imam said.

Justice S I Imam addressing the Sri Lanka Moors Association’s 97th annual convention traced the origins of the Sri Lanka Muslims.

He referred to different periods of history in Sri Lanka with specific reference to the contribution by Sri Lankan Moors to Sri Lankan society. Justice Imam was the chief guest at the function held in Colombo recently.

Justice Imam praised the Sinhala Kings, who ruled Sri Lanka in the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and other periods with particular reference to their kindness and generosity extended to the Moors who were given and held many high ranking jobs in their administration.

He quoted from the book of Miss Lorna Dewaraja, titled “The Muslims of Sri Lanka thousand years of ethnic harmony.” (900 to 1915 AD) and cited many examples of their generosity.

Justice Imam said that the Arabs who came to Sri Lanka married local women and their descendants and lived in perfect harmony with the Sinhalese and the other communities for centuries.

There were even many instances of Muslims having Sinhala names depicting their ancestry and that the Muslims fought hand in hand with the Sinhalese against the foreign invaders.

He said that Muslims also functioned as eminent Physicians to the Kandyan Kings. There were many prominent Muslims who have contributed to the development of Sri Lankan society.

Justice Imam urged upon the Muslims who are an integral part of Sri Lanka to work hand in hand with the Sinhalese and the other communities to develop Sri Lanka as the pearl of the Indian Ocean once again.

Justice Imam also referred to two Muslim Supreme Court Judges on the Bench. He said that the Muslims’ contribution to Sri Lanka as Sri Lankans is manifested in all important fields such as medicine, law, business, accountancy, computer technology, etc.