Sunday Times 2
Hong Kong honours Lankan activist Sikkander Batcha, a longstanding
View(s):Sri Lankan resident and businessman of Hong Kong, has been awarded the “Medal of Honour” for his exemplary service to the community in the former British crown colony, currently designated Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Sikkander Batcha
In a letter to Mr. Batcha, Betty Fung, the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, says “the honour is befitting of your dedication and contributions to the community (in Hong Kong). I am sure you will continue to serve and contribute to the society in the years to come.” The list of honourees was published in a Hong Kong Gazette Extraordinary recently. This is the first time a Sri Lankan has been awrded the “Medal of Honour” by the Hong Kong government.
A product of St Sebastian’s School, Hulftsdorp and Zahira College, Colombo, Mr. Batcha represented Zahira at the inaugural Football Competition for the Tarbet Shield. He also excelled in swimming and diving.
Since moving to Hong Kong in 1970, he has been working and living in Hong Kong, while being involved in politics and social activities. He has been President of Idara Minhaj-ul-Quran for 18 continuous years. The Hong Kong-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) was granted “Special Consultative Status’ by the United Nations.
Since 2009, Mr. Batcha was also co-opted as a member of Yau Tsim Mong District Council and presently holds the same position representing the Ethnic Minority Community in Hong Kong. And since June 2015, he was also appointed as a community member of Racial Harmony by the Home Affairs Bureau Secretariat.