Sunday Times 2
Hameed served Harispattuwa and the nation
The late A.C.S. Hameed was elected to Parliament in 1960 to represent the Harispattuwa constituency. Since then he has been successful in seven elections, counting 39 years (1960-1999) in parliament. This is one of the longest records for a parliamentarian in Sri Lanka’s legislature.
Dr. Hameed also had the honour of being appointed the first Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, a portfolio held by the head of state up to 1977. He held this portfolio for 12 years. In 1993, he became minister of Higher Education, Science and Technologies and once again held the portfolio of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1994.
Dr. Hameed was chairman of Non Aligned Ministerial conference from (1977-1979).He was much involved in negotiations with the LTTE over a year during which period there was relative peace. Dr. Hameed’s constituency had only 12 percent Muslims and his key supporters were Sinhala Buddhists and they often preferred to vote for him though there were Sinhalese candidates.
From 1960 to 1977, Harispattuwa was regarded a backward electorate in terms of the Kandyan peasantry Commission. From 1977, roads were built connecting more than 130 Muslim and Sinhala villages; electricity was provided and more tube wells were set up. Schools in the electorate saw two-storeyed building while thousands of people were given jobs here and abroad.
His role as Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairman of the Non Aligned Ministerial Conference required him to travel overseas very often, but whenever he was in the country he spent times with the constituents enjoying a cigar. His house at Katugastota looked like a carnival garden well lit, with buses that brought constituents to his house being parked there. Of course, he served every one of them with refreshments.
He was cool and listened to people patiently and solved their problem, happily. He helped the Muslims, the Buddhists and the Hindus without any bias. He passed away on the September 03, 1999.
May he find a place in the Jennathul Firdouse – Aameen.
- A.C.A. Ghafoor