Sunday Times 2
A friend, colleague, fearless lawyer and Speaker
Bakeer was a well-established criminal lawyer when I joined the Kalutara Bar in 1969, some 19 years after him. He had a thriving legal practice, due in large part to his sincere, honest and charismatic approach to clients. Every morning Bakeer’s office was brimming with clients and members of the community seeking his wise counsel. He worked tirelessly in all cases, placing his clients at the focus of his endeavours. I often marvelled at his speed and capacity to rationalise situations on demand while maintaining courtesy towards his opponents.
Bakeer Markar
Behind his innate sense of decorum remained a steely nerve and fearless willingness to challenge the might of the judiciary. Bakeer would stand his ground and fight on the principle that it is the duty of a lawyer to fulfil and unequivocally pursue the needs of a client within the confines of the law. Bakeer was elected President of the Kalutara District Branch of the Ceylon Bar Association.
His loyalty to his friends and colleges was equally commendable. In addition to his legal prowess, Bakeer was a multi-linguist and great orator. I had heard him speak on political platforms long before I began my career at the bar. I was amazed that he could even recite Buddhist stanzas.
Alongside my legal practice, I ran a fleet of small taxis. To support me, Bakeer patronised my taxis even though there were cheaper ones available. I still remember that Sammi was his taxi driver of choice for his journey home to Beruwela from the Kalutara Courthouse. Accordingly the taxi with the vehicle registration mark 5 Sri 4142 would be ready and waiting each day for Bakeer after court. Indeed Sammi often mentioned that it gave him a great sense of pride to be the chosen driver for such a highly respected man.
Bakeer developed a flourishing political career that saw him rise from chairman of the Beruwela Urban Council to become the first elected Member of Parliament for Beruwela. In 1977, Bakeer became Deputy Speaker and went onto become the Speaker. Bakeer fell into the unique position of being the Last Speaker in the Old Parliament and the First Speaker in the New Parliament. In 1983, he was appointed as a Cabinet Minister without Portfolio and the Governor of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. When the President and Prime Minister were out of the country, Bakeer served as the Acting Head of State.
Bakeer had become a role model for many aspiring young lawyers at the time in Kalutara. On one occasion in the Magistrates’ Court, I arranged for inspectors from the Office of the Bribery Commissioner to attend the local court to monitor the corrupt Mudliyar who had been manipulating the court timetable.
The Magistrate was shocked by my youthful brashness in inviting the inspectors without notification to the Court and tried to give me a hard time over it. I was a little anxious, as I knew I had overstepped the mark. However, Bakeer was delighted. He smiled politely at the Magistrate as he leaned over to me and in a brief whisper congratulated me on my boldness. This seal of approval from a highly esteemed colleague at the Bar was greatly appreciated.
Sometime in the 1980s, on a trip to England, the Sri Lankan High Commission in London provided Bakeer with a car and driver for the duration of his stay for both official and personal use. However, Bakeer took a moral stance and refused to use the vehicle for personal use excursions, stating he would not seek to personally benefit at the expense of the Sri Lankan taxpayer.
When I was selected to run for the British parliamentary seat of Leicester West in 1983, Bakeer was one of the first people to telephone and congratulate me. To this day, his good wishes ring loudly in my ears.
One of my most vivid recollections of Bakeer was on a visit to the Speaker’s Official Residence in Kollupitya. Despite his rise in public office, I saw before me a man who had not lost his sense of humility. He welcomed his former law colleagues with open arms and invited me to attend the New Parliament and sit in the Speaker’s Gallery.
Bakeer was a rare breed of politician, kind, diligent, unassuming and ever-willing to pass on his expertise and knowledge to the next generation. On speaking to Imthiaz recently, he mentioned that if he could do one tenth of the work his father had done for Sri Lanka, it would be a great achievement. I am sure there are many who knew Bakeer who would agree with that sentiment.
Thank you Bakeer for your wisdom, the memories and your ability to lead by example!
Sumal Fernando
Retired High Court Solicitor Advocate in England, UK
Former Attorney, Kalutara Bar, Sri Lanka