MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO – Rich tributes were paid to the late Western Province Governor and well-known trade unionist Seyed Alavi Mowlana on the commemoration of his birth anniversary in Colombo on Saturday, January 1.
The event was organized by the late Mowlana’s sons Nakeeb and Najeeb and it was well attended by distinguished people from all faiths.
Among the attendees were Justice Minister Ali Sabry, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, State Minister Tissa Witharana, Group Chairman George Stuart and Company Dilith Jayaweera and former Western Province Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya, First Secretary at the Saudi embassy in Colombo Dr. Khalid Al-Makki, Faisz Mustapha, President’s Counsel, Razick Zarook, President Counsel and former minister A.H.M Fowzie. Former President Chandrila Bandaranaike has regretted her inability to attend the event, however, her message was read out to the audience.
Making the keynote address, Minister Sabry said the late Mowlana was a person who will remain afresh in the minds of the people forever because of his dedicated services to the nation irrespective of faiths, races or religion. “He stood for the down-trodden and fought for the rights and worked for national unity. He was a firm believer of the fact that the economy is important for a country more than anything else, minister said.
Jayaweera in his speech stressed the need for more people like the late Mowlana who could work for the nation without any discrimination.
In her message , former President , Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge described the late Mowlana as an exceptional person. Gentle,Kind, generous. “ Unshakeably Loyal to friends and to his Party .
He had immense courage, even in the face of life-threatening challenges. He suffered much for his Party and the causes he espoused, even facing physical attacks. He always stood for National Unity and Harmony among all Sri Lankans,” she said recalling that while living as a good Muslim, he was primarily a great Sri Lankan, she concluded saying that “ As a Senior Leader of the S L F P ,I salute the memory of my dear friend and colleague Alavi Mowlana. We need leaders of the calibre of Alavi , in this age when such are extremely rare in our country and our Party.” The program was compered by Inthiqab Mowlana. (Photos Ashraff Samad)
