Ada Patricia Jayewickreme
She was courageous and kind
Life’s journey is an unpredictable task. One day, you would would walk on a beautiful path through a garden filled with lots of flowers, and with no obstacles; but the next day, you could tread on a road of trials and tribulations.
She lived a beautiful life, silently helping all those who came for prayers. We always think of you and remember you, Amma, as the years pass by; we remember you, and miss the kind words of advice you always used to give us.
We remember you, Amma, for a life lived with dignity, courage, kindness, and generosity that has come to a close; but your fragrance will be there even though the years roll by.
Although you left us a long time ago, we still remember you, and your life lived so well with kindness, compassion, and generosity.
You will always be remembered by us.
Hiranthi, Hemal, and Lalith
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Dr. A.M.A. Azeez
Visionary educationist
I am honoured to write this commemorative article on the late Dr. A.M.A. Azeez, the founder of the Young Men’s Muslim Association (YMMA); to express my gratitude to an outstanding Sri Lankan for his 46th death anniversary, which was yesterday.
He commenced his early education at the Allapichchai Madrasa, followed by the Mohammadiya mixed school, where he studied in Tamil medium until Grade 3, and thenceforth continued his studies in English.
He later entered R.K.M. Vaidyeshwara Vidyalayam and subsequently, the Jaffna Hindu College. In 1929, Dr. Azeez entered the Ceylon University College in Colombo, where he graduated with Honours in History in the year 1933. He was also awarded the Ceylon Government Arts Scholarship for his outstanding performance in undergraduate studies, to pursue his postgraduate studies in History at the University of Cambridge, England.
In 1935, Dr. Azeez entered the Ceylon Civil Service following his success at the Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) Examination. He was the first Muslim to enter the sector. Dr. Azeez held many important positions in the public service. He began his career as a young cadet in Matale. During World War II, he was attached to the Customs Department as the Additional Landing Surveyor.
In 1942, he was transferred to Kalmunai in the Eastern Province, as the Assistant Government Agent. In 1944, he was transferred to Colombo as Deputy Food Controller and, after a month, he assumed duties as the Assistant Government Agent in Kandy.
Dr. Azeez later served as the Information Officer and Administrative Secretary to the Ministry of Health. In 1948, he retired prematurely from the civil service to become the Principal of Zahira College, Colombo, succeeding Dr. T.B. Jayah, who was appointed as a Minister in the first Cabinet of an independent Ceylon.
This gave him the best opportunity to improve the education of the community according to his vision, to serve the country through education. In the 1950’s, Zahira College held a high rank in the league of leading schools of Colombo. Dr. Azeez’ 13-year tenure as Principal was known as the ‘Golden Era of Zahira’.
He initiated several services based on the educational needs of the community.
He founded the All Ceylon Young Men’s Muslim Association (YMMA) on April 30, 1950, and also founded the Jamiah Naleemiah Islamic Institute in Beruwala, which is considered the fruit of Dr. Azeez’ concept of Islamic higher studies.
The YMMA has rendered yeoman service to the country over the past 67 years. Today, there are many YMMA branches that work hard for the benefit of those who are in need. At present, the Colombo Young Men’s Muslim Association plays an active role in several national programmes countrywide.
Dr. Azeez had a clear vision; he honoured multicultural values in Sri Lanka. He was a multi-faceted and wonderful personality who enriched not only the activities of the Muslims, but of the entire nation.
He made a vital and enduring contribution to the unity of our country: promoting ethnic harmony through education.
In 1952, Dr. Azeez was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to the country, and that same year, he was appointed a Senator. In recognition of his contributions to literature and education, the University of Jaffna conferred a Doctorate of Letters on him at its first convocation in 1980.
Dr. Azeez was recognised as a national hero, and a commemoration stamp was issued in his honour on May 22, 1986.
Dr. Azeez passed away on November 24, 1973, at the age of 62. He is fondly remembered for the service he rendered to the country. May the Almighty Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah.
Dr. Farhath Fayiz Saleem, UK
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Samson Herath
Illustrious surveyor
Dr. S.T. Herath was one of the most illustrious surveyors Sri Lanka had ever produced. He was a friend and mentor to many people.
Dr. Herath began his career in the Survey Department as a young Assistant Surveys Superintendent and eventually, rose in ranks to become the Surveyor General. As an Assistant Surveys Superintendent, he obtained his postgraduate training at the Cambridge University in UK and later obtained his Master’s Degree from the Ohio University in USA.
After specialising in Aerial Survey, he was put in charge of the Survey Department’s Aerial Survey Section, where he introduced ‘Strip Triangulation’ for photogrammetric plotting. If anyone happened to drop in at his office after lunch, he would open his drawer and pull out a toffee, or some other sweet treat.
Dr. Herath was instrumental in developing the Computer Branch of the Survey Department during the late 1970s. He was a skilled programmer who specialised in Fortran, and also developed least square solutions to deal with several issues in the department’s computer system. It was an age where punch cards were used to feed programmes to computers.
Dr. Herath was a great mathematician. He developed programmes for projects that focused on the Jetavanaramaya in Anuradhapura, as well as the underground tunnel in Pollgolla. I can still recall how several attempts to observe the Pollgolla site from the adjoining hills were unsuccessful due to mist.
He suggested we visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and take some vows and, the next day, we were able to observe the site as the sky was clear. The theory he developed stood firm for other tunnels in Bowatenna and Randenigala as well.
After retiring from the Survey Department, Dr. Herath joined the Sabaragamuwa University as a senior lecturer and helped in setting up its Survey Faculty. He was a devoted teacher. Even in the final stages of his life, he stayed in touch with the faculty and helped them develop their syllabi.
He was a very respectable member of the Surveyors’ Institute of Sri Lanka, where he contributed his knowledge to improve the standards of the profession.
We who are in the surveying profession are deeply saddened by his passing. Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife, Ramani; his children, Athula and Taranga; as well as his son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana!
Sarath Jayatilaka
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