Appreciations

Sir Razik was born on December 29, 1893 at Grandpass, Colombo and received his early education at Zahira College Colombo, and later Royal College.

He entered politics by contesting the New Bazaar Ward of the Colombo Municipal Council, beating the candidate known as "Lion of New Bazaar", the late N. Saravanamuthu.

Sir Razik Fareed championed the cause of Sinhala-Moor unity and a united Sri Lanka, thus demonstrating that the interests of the Moor community and the welfare of all Sri Lankans were near and dear to him. He was popularly known as the "uncrowned King of the Ceylon Moors".

In 1946, Sir Razik was associated with D.S. Senanayake in founding the United National Party.

He established Muslim Ladies' College, Colombo to give every educated Muslim man an educated Muslim bride.

He had a generous heart and spent much of his wealth on the poor, without many knowing about it.

His long service as president and later as life president of the All Ceylon Moors' Association for nearly 40 years and as president of the Moors' Islamic Cultural Home for more than 40 years bear testimony to his commitment to serve the community.

The Sir Razik Fareed Foundation' to foster and preserve for posterity the humble service rendered by him in the name of Allah, has been inspired by his work.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Illaihi Rajioon
M. Ruzaik Farook JP
President,
Sri Lanka Islamic Society.

He was a physician and humanist
Dr. Cyril Perera
August 17, marked the sixth death anniversary of a most noble and eminent physician, who was a "martyr" towards his profession. I refer to none other than Dr. Cyril Perera.

I had the privilege and honour of knowing him for well over a decade, first as a patient, and later more closely. He referred to me affectionately as "my son". He was a physician cum humanist par excellence, belonging to a calibre, one rarely finds in the medical fraternity today. Despite his great knowledge and experience in medicine he was very humble. With him the practice of medicine, was a service to humanity, and not a reason to make profits. Often he did not charge a fee from his patients. He not only loved his profession, but was also truly dedicated.

His departure has left a vacuum, which is indeed very difficult to fill.

During my long association with him, I have yet to recall him speaking ill of any one. Even if any individual had spoken ill of him, which may have reached his ears, through indirect channels, he would just give his charismatic smile, which would speak for itself.

It is my earnest hope and prayer, that his noble deeds, would be enumerated by the members of the medical profession. Dr. Cyril's name will remain in the hearts of the people who have received his unsolicited kindness.
Amyn Chatoor

A literary giant and beloved guru
A.H. Peiris
A.H. Peiris, affectionately called Wyn passed away after a brief illness. He had long passed the Biblical age of three score and ten. He had been a distinct personality in the confines of education - a school teacher, headmaster, principal and finally senior lecturer at the Aquinas College of Higher Studies.

Teaching was a vocation for him. While imparting knowledge, he inculcated values, social, human and religious in his students. His first lesson to students was on good manners, courtesy and social graces.

He valued the appreciation and gratitude of his pupils more than any monetary gain. Backward students were coached after school and during vacations, all free of charge. He gave a helping hand to a past student to set up an institute that is thriving today. His favourite subject was English Literature and he could recite long passages from celebrated poets like Shakespeare from memory. He was aptly named a literary giant.
L.V. Cabral

He left too soon
Manoj Arseculeratne
Manoj dear it's almost two years since,
That awful day you bade farewell to life
Many disappointments coincided to act at once,
Causing all of us unbearable sorrow and grief.

In the home where your loved ones built,
With loving care for you to have lived;
But in short span to eternal home you left.
Leaving a void that cannot be filled.

Darling precious, our beloved son,
Hearts of many that you have won.
At the tender age as a rugby giant,
In your alma mater of Peter's Saint.

With friends in distress you used to share,
A pleasing feature you inherited rare
Now that for you to rest in God's good care,
Is our daily, fervent and incessant prayer.

God's priceless gift to us was you in a big way,
But taken back so soon in a mysterious way;
For us to overcome this shock we pray;
Eagerly waiting to meet in heaven one day.
Ammi and Thathi

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