ASHRAFF A SAMAD
COLOMBO- Under the patronage of Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa,a commemorative stamp was released on Tuesday, Jan.18 to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Professor Marhoom Allama M.M.Uwise, who had been a source of inspiration to Tamil and Sinhalese literature of Sri Lanka and had been a pillar in the formation of universities in the island.
The event was organized by the late Uwise’s family in cooperation with the South-Eastern Unversity, where a library has been set up named after the late Professor Uwise.
On behalf of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena received the first sealed copy of the Rs 25 stamp named after Uwise. The event was chaired by Professor A Rameez, vice-chancellor of the South Eastern University at the function held at the BMICH hall in Colombo.
On behalf of Uwise’s family, Ahkam Uwise, who is also the government’s Haj Committee Chairman received the first stamp from the minister. Former minister A H M Fowzie, Parliamentarian Marjan Faleel, University professors, students and university council members were present at the event.
Postmaster General D A Rajitha Ranasinghe released the stamp and distributed it among the special guests.
A book on Allama M M Uwise titled ‘Markazi’ was also released to mark the occasion.
Addressing the audience, Minister Gunawardena recalled the excellent contributions made by Allama Uwise to Tamil literature. “ By virtue of his trilingual knowledge in Tamil, Sinhalese and English, Professor Uwise was a bridge between the Tamil and Sinhalese community in preserving their respective cultures, the minister said.
Vice-Chancellor Rameez said that Dr.Uwise’s children have been collaborating with the University in many of its projects, “ They have donated Dr, Uwise’s library to the university and also sponsors seminars to keep the activities lively,” he stressed.
Rameez also pointed out that his 25 year old university has been doing yeoman services towards higher education of some 5,600 students in the facility. “ While expanding its activities, we are also preparing and making arrangements to open a medical faculty at the institute,” he concluded.
