'T B Jayah, great patriot of Mother Lanka'

The most remarkable character of Dr T B Jayah was that he was patriotic towards his motherland, said A H M Azwer MP, speaking at the 123rd Birth Anniversary of late National Leader Dr. T B Jayah at the Muslim Ladies Study Circle, Colombo.

The event was organized by the T B Jayah Foundation.

Azwer said Dr T B Jayah advocated a policy of developing a close and cordial relationship with both the Sinhalese and the Tamils. He chartered a clear course of guidance for the Muslims to follow at all times to come after him, he said.

Azwer said at a crucial period of history, Dr Jayah played a significant role in gaining independence for his motherland.

"When there were doubts expressed before the Soulbury Commission about the minorities of the country, with an agitation of 50-50 demand, Dr Jayah stood tall in the State Council and assured the Britishers, on behalf of the Muslim community, that they would extend unconditional support for the country to attain independence."

The Muslims have followed the path of Dr. Jayah's political wisdom and always stood for a united country without giving into any separatist tendencies, he said.

Dr Jayah imbibed the best of knowledge in Islam, but at the same time he appreciated the aspirations of the major community - their culture and practices - having taught initially in a Buddhist environment at the Ananda College, Colombo.

He was close to the hearts of the Sinhalese as much as his Muslim community.

"It speaks volumes of the magnanimity of the Sinhala community when Dr P de S Kularatne, who was principal of Ananda College acceded to the request of Sir Razeek Fareed, another great Muslim Leader in the State Council and allocated land to the Muslims of Balapitiya in a village called Panawela which is now a developed village with Mosques, Madrasas, schools, roads, infrastructure and other facilities," he said.

"That was a great service rendered to the Muslim community by a person hailed as a Buddhist leader at the request of a Muslim leader.

"These lessons in history should be re-written so that the Sinhalese and the Muslim would understand the friendship and cordiality exists among both the communities, as guided by their respective leaders in the past," Azwer said.

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem delivered the keynote address as the Chief Guest.