Prof M.T.M. Jiffry :

Truth and Justice were his hallmarks

The second death anniversary of Prof. M.T.M. Jiffry fell on September 17, 2012. The unexpected and untimely departure of Prof. M. T. M. Jiffry two years ago from the family's midst has left a great void. Even after a two year lapse, his loss is widely felt within the family circle because he was accessible to all those who wanted his services. Prof. Jiffry was a shining example to the younger generation of doctors. He was someone who pursued the cause of medicine above and beyond comfort zones and personal gain.

He hailed from the Southern coastal city of Matara. He was a Professor attached to the Medical Faculty of Sri Jayawardenapura University and excelled as a personality par excellence. He did not go after fame and fortune. In fact, fame and fortune came his way for all his enthusiasm and efforts shown in the field of Medicine.

He was a towering influence to many students in their formative years. A fairly good number of doctors who had been his students owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all what he taught them and the values he inculcated in them.

He had not failed to win the hearts of many a medical student. The student fraternity greatly respected him for he deserved all the respect. He earned the respect and admiration of his students not only through his medical knowledge and skills but also through his humanitarian approach. Every doctor, every specialist, in fact a majority of those in the medical field had been his students. They were all at his beck and call and with a ring he was able to access the best of specialist doctors in the country.

Prof. Jiffry was a great and exceptional personality. The greatness he acquired lay in the hard work he put in to earn it. His rise to fame too was quick. Pity, his departure from our midst looked quick, too.

Every human being born will have to bid good-bye to this blessed earth one fine day. In Prof Jiffry's case although the writing was on the wall, those near and dear to him never expected his departure to be so sudden. We, the relatives still feel that the cruel hands of fate have snatched him away from our midst too soon, but the feeling that he is living amongst us continues to exist.

Prof Jiffry ran the gauntlet of a demanding medical profession. At the Faculty of Medicine at Sri Jayawardenepura he stood for what was right. He was loved and was greatly looked up to for his advice and suggestions in the UGC.

I happened to be amongst the UGC crowd at the time of Prof Jiffry's funeral. From the chit-chat that took place, I came to know that he was the livewire behind the UGC. The present Chairman, Prof Gamini Samaranayake was very close to him. He even accompanied the funeral to the Dehiwela Mosque. Prof Samaranayake's presence right throughout the day of the funeral bore ample testimony to the attachment he had towards Prof Jiffry and how much he missed him.

Prof Jiffry's kindness and compassion knew no bounds. He never abused power nor privilege. Truth and justice were the hallmarks of his existence. In all his dealings, he maintained the highest ethical standards. It is no exaggeration if it is said that these qualities earned him a place in the LLRC. It is very unfortunate that he could not attend even one sitting of the LLRC. His sudden illness prevented him from attending the LLRC sessions.

Prof Jiffry was accessible to all those who wanted his services. He helped those patients amongst the relatives who wanted to get the services of specialist doctors. His acts of humanity included helping the needy in their most miserable hours.

His dedication and loyalty to the medical profession was never in doubt. He proved to be a gentleman of absolute honesty and integrity.

May Allah grant him Jennathul Firdouse and may his wife Fowzie Jiffry be blessed with the strength and courage to confront life's realities.

M I Mohamed Ansar

Arthur Ranjith Jayasekera:

He showered us with love

We can shed tears that they have gone, or we can smile that they have lived We can close our eyes and pray that they will come back, or we can open our eyes and see all the good that they have left us

Our hearts can be empty because we cannot see them, or our hearts can be full with all the love we shared

We can turn our backs on tomorrow and live yesterday, or we can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

We can remember them and only that they have gone, or we can cherish their memory and let it live on

We can cry and close our minds, be empty and turn our backs, or

We can do what they would have wanted; smile, open our eyes, love and go on.

To those who met him during his journey on this earth, he was an unforgettable character, tall and handsome, witty, fun loving and sporty, Dad's personality and charisma made him stand out and was loved by all. His was a close knit family. His school career began at St. Thomas’ and ended at Royal College Colombo. He entered Peradeniya University and later decided to pursue a career in accountancy. Dad met mum Rene on the SS Orontes when they sailed to England in 1958. Dad went to do his Articles in Chartered Accountancy and Mum immigrated with her family. From that moment on they were soul mates; their shipboard romance blossomed and culminated in marriage. She was the wind beneath his wings. Dad was fiercely protective and proud of his family and we were proud to say he was 'our Dad'.

They returned to their beloved Motherland in 1967 with their two daughters. Michael was ‘made in Sri Lanka’ and Dad was so happy to have the Jayasekera name carry on into the next generation. Back home he quickly reached the top and was highly respected and valued in the organizations he worked in. His demanding job in the mercantile sector and commitments to serve on committees in prestigious sports and social clubs in Colombo did not affect his role as a family man. He showered us with love and was always there for guidance, advice and made time to support us in the million and one things we did. He followed our progress and cheered us on. When Michael played cricket for College, he did not want Dad to watch. Dad hid behind trees to watch the game. He'd remember every run, the bad shots and have a post mortem at home later that evening. Michael did not enjoy this. Dad walked the length and breadth of Uxbridge in Middlesex to purchase blazer material from the College supplier for Michael as the College had run out of stocks. A team mate of Michael rightly said in his message of condolence, “You did not just lose your Dad; you lost your greatest fan”.

Yolande, the middle one and the quiet one, made him so proud when she completed her CIMA at the age of 21. She inherited Dad's brains. I was trouble, always had to have the last word with Dad, but I know he loved me for it. I remember Anderson Road days (before mobile phones were invented). Our telephone was constantly engaged. As usual I was the culprit. One day, after about 1 ½ hours of trying to contact Mum, Dad had to call the next door and ask them to please tell his eldest daughter to get off the phone as he was trying to contact his wife. I ensured I was out riding my bicycle when he returned that evening. When I began working, he would support our netball team and cheer loudly at the matches. My friends thought he was great. All our friends loved him. He would take time to chat to them, ask about their families. He was a great mentor to his Accountancy trainees and would offer advice and take great pains to ensure that they understood and followed what was expected in their profession. In fact anyone he came into contact with benefited from his advice and experience.

Daddy, thank you for the happy times, thank you for making us who we are today. For the values, your integrity, the support, guidance and advice you freely gave which will see us through our passage on this earth. We will surely pass it on to our children just as you did from your parents.

We miss you and will always love you. You live in our hearts forever. Till we meet again on that beautiful shore, although it's hard, we will do what you would have wanted, smile, open our eyes, love and go on.

Good bye for now!

Your First Born.