The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am comforted to have the opportunity to speak in this condolence motion relating to the late Hon. P. Dayaratna, Hon. Gamini Lokuge, Hon. Indradasa Hettiarachchi, Hon. M. H. Cegu Isadean, and Hon. W. B. Ranatunga. All five were eminent figures who served this country.

¶ 02 I wish especially to speak about the late Hon. M. H. Cegu Isadean of our Ampara District and his services.

¶ 03 Born in 1944 to Zubaida Umma and Mohamed Hasan, the late M. H. Cegu Isadean had his primary education at Akkaraipattu Zahira Vidyalaya and further schooling at Vantharumoolai Central College, Batticaloa. He later moved to Colombo for higher studies, completed his advanced studies at Zahira College, Colombo, and was appointed an English teacher. Drawn to public affairs, he trained as a special English teacher at the renowned Palaly Teachers’ Training College, which stirred his interest in law. He entered the Sri Lanka Law College and later excelled as an attorney-at-law and also served as a well-known Notary Public.

¶ 04 He married Ms. Nazeera in 1974. Their children—Asoor, Asyan, Fathima Hasna, Fathima Zubiya, Cegu Abdul Qadir, and Mohamed Hasan Zubi—were guided by a devoted father and today are distinguished as academics, doctors, and lawyers, acclaimed locally and internationally.

¶ 05 His political entry came at a very crucial time, during the period of conflict. He was steadfast that Muslim youth must not be drawn into the war or fight against the country. After the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord, he was appointed Leader of the Opposition of the merged North–East Provincial Council. In that role, he worked prudently to prevent friction among Tamil-speaking communities and urged all to unite to build the country.

¶ 06 He entered Parliament via the National List and served from 2000 to 2010. He held several portfolios: Deputy Minister of Information and Media (2004–2007), Deputy Minister of Small and Rural Industries, Deputy Minister of Highways, and later Cabinet-rank, non-cabinet Minister of Export Development. In 2004–2007, he established the “Pirai FM” radio service in Akkaraipattu, which today serves Tamil-speaking people islandwide, not only Muslims, providing news and information. As a deputy and later as a non-cabinet minister, he delivered services across the country. In the North and East, many main roads were rehabilitated and new roads laid during that period; the evidence is still visible.

¶ 07 His political journey began through the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), of which he was also Chairman. He worked closely with the founding leader, the late M. H. M. Ashraff. Though a rift later arose, he continued his political service. In 2010 he left the Mahinda faction, rejoined the SLMC on 15.01.2010, and supported Gen. Sarath Fonseka at the presidential election. He also founded “Pirai FM” on 04.11.2005 for the Muslim community; it still operates successfully.

¶ 08 Beyond politics, he was a man of letters: a poet, short story writer, and orator who authored revolutionary political poems and books under the pen name “Vedanti”. He nurtured arts and literature in Akkaraipattu, notably organizing the “Full Moon Arts Night” that brought together youth and produced many artists.

¶ 09 He represented Sri Lanka abroad—in Libya, Italy, South Korea, Nepal, Saudi Arabia—speaking for the country. Later, he stepped back from politics and devoted himself to spirituality, steeped in Sufi thought, establishing the “Vedanti Cegu Illam” at Madeenapuram, a house famed for its aesthetic sensibility, including a floor laid with repurposed broken marble—widely spoken of. I extend my condolences to his wife, beloved children, and supporters, and pray that he be granted Jannatul Firdaus. I also extend condolences to the families of the other former MPs remembered today. Thank you.