Keeping flag flying of a vibrant community for 100 years
The Sri Lankan Malays have been a vibrant community in our diverse little island with their roots tracing back to the 6th-7th century. In his book, the History Of Sri Lankan Malays, Dr. Tuan M. Zameer Careem writes, “When Malays came from the Indonesian Archipelago, they brought their drums, music and their dances, ancient ways their parents taught them, their culinary habits, literature & fashion.”
From kite flying, musical instruments like the bamboo Anklung, ‘Serikaya’ which is commonly known as watalappan, batiks and rattan weaving to even Malay sports such as Sepak Takraw, Sri Lankan Malays have proudly kept their culture and heritage alive through the Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA).
The oldest Malay institution in the country, the SLMA was established on January 22, 1922 with Malays from all parts of the island assembling at Wekande Hall in Slave Island to form a non-political institution that would address the welfare of their community. Yesterday they commemorated their centenary at the ‘Padang complex’ also in Slave Island with a few festivities to mark the occasion. More events are scheduled throughout the year.
Key Sri Lankan Malay personnel who have contributed to the nation and worldwide through their work were recognised at the centenary celebrations. This is an annual event on Founders’ Day usually for their members but was extended to all Malays to mark the centenary. The SLMA also launched a revamped website and released a theme song ‘These Four Walls’ (streaming on YouTube) that illustrates the Malay community. A news supplement included a message from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
A First Day cover will be released to mark the centenary.
Pictures from the past: The ladies of the Social Services Committee helping out (above) and a Pasar Malam (top)
Pasar Malam, a Malay night hawker street filled with performances, costumes, cuisine and more is planned for July and a symposium in September will highlight academic papers on the contribution of the Malays to Sri Lanka and how they have integrated with all communities. Come October, there will be a day of sports and other cultural activities at the Malay Rally while SLMA’s annual commemoration of Heroes Day when they remember the Malay soldiers lost in action will take place in November. Proceeds from many of these events will go towards charitable purposes.
“I am very honoured to have been elected as SLMA’s President especially when we are to celebrate 100 years of the SLMA. Looking back, it was the foresightedness of founder members like Justice M. T. Akbar, Dr. T.B. Jayah, M.K. Saldin, Dr. M.P. Drahaman, Zahiere Lye and M.D. Kitchilan that has driven us to bring the association this far. Not only have they been pivotal to the community but to Sri Lanka as well,” said President of the SLMA, Rilwan Lantra. He expressed his gratitude to his committee that never stopped working despite the pandemic.
The SLMA is spearheaded by five committees namely, Social Services, Literary & Cultural Affairs, Religious Affairs, Women’s Affairs, and Research and Documentation studies & Communication. In 1953, the SLMA established the SLMA Rupee Fund incorporated by an Act of Parliament that was dedicated to serving the less privileged homes of the Slave Island area back then and now serves a wider populace.
These five committees have worked tirelessly to ensure that the community is well supported. Even amidst the pandemic, they continued their activities particularly in the social services branch – providing schoolbooks for underprivileged children, distributing relief packages and raising funds to pay for medical bills of those afflicted by COVID-19.
Since the inauguration of the SLMA a century ago, many associations/bodies have been established around the country to ensure the Sri Lankan Malay community is strengthened for generations to come.
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