MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO: Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will participate in the 100th Birth Anniversary of former speaker M.H.Mohamed virtually in Colombo Tuesday June (15). It will highlight, ‘Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance’. https://zoom.us/J/99066768988
Islamic Centre President Hussein Mohamed said that former President of Maldives Abdul Gaiyoom will make the keynote address from Maldives, while Education Minister Professor G.L. Peiris will make a speech from Colombo.
The other speakers will include Pakistan Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq, Ven. Prof. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Thera, Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, Foreign Minister Dinesh Guawardena, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Secretary Ranjith Maduma Bandara, former Deputy Minister of Endowments in Saudi Arabia Dr. Al Sheikh Abdul Aziz Abullah Al Ammar, Rev. P. Ebenezer Joseph, Former Governor D.M.Swaminathan and International Tolerance Conference Chairman in Abu Dhabi Dr. Al Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah.
Born on June 15, 1921, M .H. Mohamed, an old boy of Wesley College, Colombo, joined Cargills Limited where he became active in trade union activities. Later he joined the family shipping firm, Nagoor Meera and Sons.
Having been elected to the Colombo Municipal Council from the Maligawatte Ward as early as 1947, he also served as Colombo Mayor from 1960 until he decided to enter Parliamentary politics.
He contested the Borella Electorate in 1965 General Elections, beating the fiery Samasajist Viviene Goonewardena, earning him a place in Dudley Senanayake’s Cabinet as Labour, Employment and Housing Minister. In 1977, he was re-elected to the same seat and J.R.Jayewardene appointed him to the Cabinet as Transport Minister. He retained his seat until 2010 in the consecutive elections. In 1989, Mohamed was elected as the Speaker of the 9th Parliament of Sri Lanka by R. Premadasa Government and he was the third Muslim to be elected for the post.
He was the founder of the Sri Lanka Islamic Centre, which is the premier civil society organization promoting co-existence and tolerance and contributing towards education of underprivileged Muslims students entering University.(Daily News)
