Hon. Muhammad Faizal

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, as I noted, following the 1976 tragedy, Dr. Ilyas treated the injured with total dedication and served as Coroner. Wherever social issues arose, he stood up selflessly.

¶ 02 To clarify buried truths and overturn unjust decisions against Puttalam’s people, he joined struggles with leaders like Thanthai Selvanayagam. From 1976, his social struggles continued until his death. His leadership in the Puttalam “salt struggle” secured legal freedom for local salt producers, with a landmark judgment by then District Judge Dhammika Kitulgoda.

¶ 03 He rendered immense service to Muslims displaced from the North in 1990—housing them safely, arranging facilities and essentials—mobilizing youth and community. He offered free medical services, free circumcisions for children, initiated development projects including the Noor Nagar railway station, and advanced projects with support from the Islamic Republic of Iran. May Allah reward his deeds and grant him Jannah. Thank you.