Appreciations
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A man who followed Allah’s path Haji Zuhair Marikkar was the illustrious son of A.C.M.A Marikkar and of Nasooha Marikkar of Kalutara. His father was a leading businessman in Pelmadulla, and former Chairman of the Pelmadulla Town Council and he was a descendant of Hassana Marikkar, popularly known as Gem Notary ("Kalnotaris") of Gem Villa, Dharga Town - an elite Muslim family in Kalutara. He was the son-in-law of the late Mr. & Mrs. U.L.M. Buhary of Veyangalle. While at Zahira College, Zuhair was an all-round student who enjoyed his studies, co-curricular activities and sports. A popular sportsman, he played for the college cricket team and participated in other sports. A voracious reader, he excelled in the literary field. He was also an eloquent speaker at literary societies both at college and hostel. His speeches were received with thunderous applause from the audience. Zuhair was a man of unique qualities and excellent character. As president of Zahira College Old Boys' Association he worked hard for the welfare and progress of Zahira with a sense of responsibility, conviction, sincerity and loyalty to regain its pristine glory as 'the centre of Islamic culture and learning'. Zuhair was God-fearing and bent on following the path of Allah. He preached and practised his religion. He could have taken to a lucrative legal career or to his ancestral business or found a job in the banking sector but instead he preferred to work at Expo Lanka Freight Department with a directorate of similar thinking and calibre following the path of Allah. He was happy to work there with his skills in law and management. During his leisure, he was engaged in Da'wa work to instil in the minds of other Muslim brothers the necessity to practise and follow Allah's path, which he preached and practised. He was a faithful Muslim with a farsighted vision. Since he was convinced that this was not the world in itself, but only a platform to prepare oneself for the world thereafter, he worked to achieve this goal by following the path of Allah. Although he had to undergo a cruel illness in the last lap of his life, his "Iman" was strong and consolidated. He had a vision to build a mosque near his house and he was instrumental in building it before his death. It stands as a monument to his memory. He was born on January 25, 1938 and passed away on January 12, 2005. He leaves behind his mother, four brothers, four sisters, wife, three sons and two daughters. His mission in this world is over. May Allah bless his soul to attain "Jennathul Firdouse". A.S.M. Omar Educationist
and administrator of high calibre Before he entered Dharmaraja, he had a few years of learning at Trinity College, Kandy. Leaving Dharmaraja after a distinguished student record, he completed his secondary education at Ananda College, Colombo and obtained a Degree in Administration at the University of Sri Lanka. After serving the Surveyors Department as an Assistant Superintendent of Surveys for a short time, he joined the Ceylon University. His B.Sc. Honours First Class from the London University led him to do postgraduate work at the University of Oxford which gave him a D.Phil (Oxford) at Balliol College. These qualifications enabled him to get a lectureship at the University of Colombo. Many professors of the Colombo University like Tommy Wickramanayake, Sultan Bawa and Collambine gave him all the support while he was a lecturer. He was a lecturer at the university at the height of the insurgency. No one wanted to accept the post of Vice-Chancellor of the Colombo University. He was cajoled by the late President J.R. Jayewardene into accepting this post. He built the university's foundation, brought new life to the institution and was responsible for the many buildings that were put up during his time in the Colombo University. He was also made chairman of the Commonwealth Universities. I think this honour was bestowed on him for his capabilities and popularity as a vice chancellor. It is of some joy to know that the road connecting Bauddhaloka Mawatha and Reid Avenue was named after him. But no fleeting joy can take away the great sense of loss at his parting. Stanley has left his wife Anoja Helena Wijewardene, four children, Deepthi, Roshan, who is a doctor in England, Ramani and Shalitha who is now chairman of the Airport Authority. To them it is a great loss even today. Sixteen years since his sad and untimely death, it forced on me the stark reality that the forces of darkness will always rise to blot out the light. Stanley shed much light. His was a life of effulgence. I feel so sad even now that he was a gentleman never to be had again. We, his loved ones, will always remember him. He was a true son of Sri Lanka and an educationist and administrator of high calibre. We
the loved ones have to console ourselves with the Bhagavad Gita
stanza, which reads as follows: May he attain Nibbana Nissanka Wijesundera They
weep silently With the usual chatter and excitement amongst the three Dawood boys and their mother also a senior staffer of the Royal College they left for a day of fun and frolic blissfully oblivious to the tragedy that awaited them at the conclusion of the big match. Around 7 p.m. that fateful day, the Dawoods were to receive the news that their boy who the mother had kissed for the last time that morning with the usual advice "have a great time son, but do take care” was lying in a critical condition in the ICU of the National Hospital. The rest is now history. Will the authorities learn their lessons or will traditions continue until another fatality occurs? It
is said that Ishrath was an epitome of simplicity, honour and decorum
with love to all and malice to none. But it is different for the grieving parents as life virtually stopped for them after the misfortune. They continue to weep silently but with dignity. I believe that the grief and sorrow would weigh on them for the rest of time. Let's then pray that almighty Allah gives them the serenity and the fortitude to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what ought to be changed and the wisdom to know the difference. Beneath
that cold slab in the lush manicured Muslim cemetery at Kalubowila
lies a warm and gentle soul awaiting his eventual call by his Maker
on that Day of Judgment to his eternal rest. Carlyle de Silva Down
memory lane Holding
your shaky fingertips... Preserving
me from danger, always unseen. Euromi Yamuna Amarasekera A shining
medal I-n
our hearts you'll always stay
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