The champion of the underdog

Priyanka KURUGALA

Seyed Alavi Moulana, has been one of the prominent leaders in the Left movement in the country's political history. During his distinguished political career he has always championed the cause of the working community rendering yeomen service as a labour leader and a union leader. Even though he has reached 80 now, he is very much a youth at heart. A felicitation ceremony named Alavi Moulana Janma Prasadini has been organized by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Sri Lanka Freedom Party Professional Organization to mark his 80th birthday which falls on January 1. It will be held at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The chairman of the Organizing Committee is Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardana.

Q: Give us a brief insight into your beginnings in politics?

A: I have been in politics for more than 50 years despite many challenges and changes. It was a dream in my life to participate in active politics. I lived in Colombo Hulftsdorf when I was a little boy. Even though my father's village is Kandy, I was born in Colombo. My mother is from Weligama, Matara. I had my primary education at Hameedia Boys’ English School. Now the school name is Hameedia Hussein Maha Vidyalaya.

Thereafter I attended St. Sebastian College. My third school was St. Peters' College in Bambalapitiya. When I was a schoolboy, I took part in many political activities. Most of the time, I was punished by my parents for this. They thought that, I was neglecting my studies. From 1947- 1956 I accompanied Pieter Keuneman who was the Left leader in the country. In 1953, I joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party among the party's first membership group with T B Tennakoon and Al-Haj Badi-ud-din Mahmoud. I was the person who started the SLFP Trade Union. Then I was in my early 20s. These fruitful associations gave me valuable inputs which later enriched my life in politics.

Q: Why did you associate yourself with the Left movement from the very beginning?

A: From the very inception of my career in politics my sole intention was to propagate equality in society. The teachings of eminent Left leaders such as Vivienne Gunawardana, Dr. Colvin R de Silva, DG William, Dr SA Wickramasinghe and LW Panditha, at that time inspired me.

I deeply believed that following Left politics was the right path to convert society into a good and a righteous one. I was the first Muslim leader who joined Left politics in the country.

Q: But a vast majority of Muslims have not tread the same path in politics?

A: Yes, it is true, but definitely I can say that, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party treats all a like, there are no differences. In 1951, I was a supporter of the Sri Lanka Communist Party. But in 1953, I joined the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Q: You are a veteran Muslim political leader in our country. What about your religious activities?

A: Yes, very important question. I am the 37th member of the generation of Prophet Mohammad.

My grandfather had gone to Yemen from Mecca. This is how I got my name Moulana. However I had selected politics. But it is not a problem. I was always dedicated to social services.

I am ready to listen and answer any type of problem presented to me by the public. I would prefer to be recognized more as a trade union leader, than as Governor of the Western Province. Nevertheless, I am sorry to say one thing. Due to my politics I had to face many harassment and indignities. Once, my brother-in-law sacrificed his life. I have faced many dangerous and cruel incidents in my life. In 1980, I heard that a journalist named Weersinghe was being assaulted by thugs. I rushed to the place, Fort from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Headquarters.

The thugs then turned on me and I was shoved around. Due to the intervention of Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike my life was saved.

Somebody had admitted me to the hospital. Doctors had ignored my son’s pleads and not treated me until the arrival of Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Q: Are you satisfied with the government's treatment of the Muslim community?

A: Anybody cannot be satisfied a 100 percent. Nevertheless I know our President Mahinda Rajapaksa is always considerate towards the Muslim community. I have organised six May days during the recent past. I am a very close member to the family of SWRD Bandaranaike.

Q: What are the future plans to uplift the Muslim community?

A: The Muslim community is gradually paying their attention more towards education. It is a good trend. However, Muslims are primarily a trading community. They have to be provided with the scope and resources to realize their aspirations.

Q: What do you think about the LLRC report? What are the views of the Muslim community about LLRC report?

A: I have not studied it yet. Without studying it, I can’t say anything about it.

Q: What are your views about the country's future development?

A: To develop a country, the people and leaders need to be united. It is the major duty of rulers to build ethnic harmony.

The President has the support of all. To make it a success everybody needs to support him.