Wimalasiri de Mel:

Rendered yeoman service to Sri Lanka

We are most grateful to Wimalasiri de Mel, former Member of Parliament for Moratuwa (1970-1977) who rendered a yeoman service to the entire country. Recently I noted with pride that the University of Moratuwa celebrated 40 years of university status.

It was mainly due to the initiative of de Mel that the then existing Technical College of Katubedda, Moratuwa, was raised to the status of a reputed and recognized University in Sri Lanka catering to the various facilities for the benefit of many students who wish to specialize in various fields.

In the same breath there are so many benefits that the people of Moratuwa enjoy today thanks to the effective efforts of de Mel. He mooted the idea of a new road bridge at Modera as a link between Moratuwa and Panadura to ease the heavy traffic that was prevailing at the time from Moratuwa as far as to the end of Southern Province. The CTB depot at Moratuwa, the Ayurveda Hospital at Lunawa, Divisional Secretariat, the German Training Institute, the National Savings Bank, the Bank of Ceylon, Moratuwa Branch are just among the few projects which he crated and gave to Moratuwa with his tireless efforts.

The two other most noteworthy tasks initiated by him with government approval are the land donated by the Soysa Family for a playground previously known as by Katubedda Park to be transformed into a stadium and the inauguration of the new Galle Road.

However very unfortunately these were not to be completed by him due to the change of government in 1977.

These are just a few of the benefits given by him to Moratuwa and its most befitting that we all should remember him today.

Johnson Fernando

Mumtaz Marickar:

Soft-spoken, gentle lady

It was an year ago that Mumtaz Marickar (nee Issadeen) my loving mother-in-law ended her sojourn on earth and left this world to meet her Creator. Her blessed soul departed in the early hours in the morning on June 1, 2010 peacefully, with her lips moving in prayer and Kalima (attestation of faith).

Each death reminds me about the uncertainty of life, having lost my own parents in quick succession just a decade and a half ago. Her passing away actually deepened my understanding about how unpredictable life really is, as per the Quranic dictum, ‘every soul shall taste of death, even if one is hidden in ivory towers’. Sad as it was, it somehow reinforced my view or spectrum on life and the importance of living a full life mutually useful to self and the society.

It was Elisabeth Kubler-Ross who said that it’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth - and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. she lived her life to the fullest.

She was a soft-spoken and a gentle lady always wishing good for everyone, but inside her, she had that grit of determination expected of a sharp mother to help her family achieve higher things in life. She brought up her four daughters in the most exemplary manner.

She was delighted to see 11 grand children, growing up well in life; two of whom having chosen the medical field and one pursuing a degree course in aerospace engineering.

She hailed from the illustrious Issadeen family of Matara and was the daughter of an exemplary Head Master at Zahira College. She got married to A.R.I. Marickar, Attorney-at-law, JPUM who completed five decades of exemplary practice at the Matara Bar few years ago.

May Allah grant her Jennathul Firdhous.

M. Lukman Harees – UK

Mahesh Galhena:

Versatile and talented professional

Mahesh Galhena was born on September 30, 1980 as the first child of Nimal and Sriya Galhena of Padukka.

News of Mahesh’s death at the tender age of 29 due to poisoning by carbon monoxide leaked out from a gas line as a result of a fire that broke out in the hotel where Mahesh was staying in Sulaimanyah, a provincial city in Iraq on July 15, 2010 brought shock waves to his parents, relations, close associates and acquaintances. At that time Mahesh was employed as a senior engineer attached to Asiacell Communication LLC, Iraq.

Mahesh had his primary education at Seethawaka Central College, Avissawella and later got admission to Ananda College, Colombo having passed the year 5 Scholarship examination with flying colours. Thereafter he had no turning back but ascended his upward journey to achieve his target. His path was not a bed of roses. He got through his O/L and A/L with remarkable achievements and entered the Engineering Faculty of Moratuwa University where he was chosen on his merits for the Electronic and Telecommunication Dept. He passed out in year 2004 obtaining BSc (Hons) Degree. Same year he Joined Mobitel Telecom as an Engineer and had the rare opportunity of getting overseas training in China and Malaysia and widened his knowledge and experience.

As a boarder at Ananda College he had time to take part in lot of extra curricular activities. He participated in sports too. He played Hockey and Cricket. Mahesh was an extra ordinary character from his childhood.

He opted to be alone but when he kept company with his mates he was a good team player. He was very sensitive and always had a great respect to his elders and superiors. His main concern was his family as he was well aware of the sacrifices made by his parents for his success.

He was an academic highflier and had a quest for knowledge. He made valuable contribution through internet to number of websites on various subjects.

Mahesh found employment in a prestigious private sector Telecommunication Company in Iraq (in a war free area) as a senior Engineer and left Sri Lanka in year 2009.

Stanley Galhena

Sir Razik Fareed:

Man of vision with a mission

At a time when the Ceylon Moor Ladies’ Union was struggling to find ways and means to start a school for Muslim girls it was Sir Razik Fareed who came to their rescue by placing at their disposal half an acre of land with four blocks of temporary buildings. Sir Razik boldly worked for the Muslim Ladies College single-handed. No man has done so much alone. In the cause of education of Muslim girls and the education of the Moor youth in general, Sir Razik Fareed deserves the gratitude of our community. Today this land is worth over millions.

Sir Razik Fareed, a distinguished Sri Lankan promoted national unity and always supported the majority community. He insisted Muslims to educate their children.

Beginning his political career in 1915, he carefully planned his politics to emancipate his poorer compatriots from the depths of poverty, social backwardness and encouraged them to take an active part in politics. May Almighty Allah bless his soul.

Fazliya Marzook