65TH INDEPENDENCE - WHO ARE MUSLIM?

Sri Lanka attained Independence on 4th February 1948 from the British. 

Prior to that Sri Lanka, then Ceylon was ruled by several Kings. The first one was King Vijaya. Thereafter about 196 Kings ruled Ceylon. Among the various Kings were :

King Vijaya, Pandukhabhaya, Devanampiyatissa, Dutugemunu, Elara, Saddhatissa, Walagamba, Chandramuka Shiva, Gajaba, Sri Sangabo, Mahasena, Kashyapa, Mugalan, Vijayabahu, Wickremabahu, Queen Leelawathie, Queen Kalyanawathie, Buvenekabahu, Mayadunna, Rajasinghe, Sri Wimaladharmasooriya, Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, Rajadi Rajasinghe and Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe. 

During the rule of the above Kings, there were certain invasions by the Portugese, the Dutch and the British. The Portugese arrived in Ceylon in 1505 and ruled until 1658 for 153 years. The Dutch ruled Ceylon from 1658 until 1796 for 138 years. And after the signing of the Kandyan Convention the British came to Ceylon in 1815 and ruled until 1948 for 133 years. 

The name  Hulftsdorp came since the Dutch Ruler General Hulft was accommodated at the present Hulftsdorp Courts building. The name Hulftsdorp  denotes " House of Hulfts". It was the Official Residence of General Hulfts. So the name Hulftsdorp                                                                                                                                            

During the Portugese, Dutch and British, the struggle for Independence was carried out by several persons who are considered National Heroes. They were : 

King Seethawaka Rajasinghe, Ehelepola Adikaram, Keppetipola, Madugalla Disawa, Weerapuran Appu, Weera Madduma Bandara, Sumangala Himi, S. Mahinda Thero, Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero, Sri Arumuga Navalar, Sir Ponnambalam Ramanadan, Sir Ponnambalan Arunachalam, Henry Steel Olcott, Anagarika Dharmapala, Sir Baron Jayatillake, F. R. Senanayake, Sir James Pieris, E. W. Perera, D. S. Senanayake, C.W.W. Kannangara, Dr. T. B. Jayah, A. E. Goonesinghe, S.W.R.D. Bandaranayake, Dr. S. A. Wickremasinghe, Philip Gunawardene, Dudley Senanayake and Proctor M.C. Siddi Lebbe. 

Finally Ceylon attained Independence from the British which handed over the Administration to Hon D.S. Senanayake who became the First Prime Minister of Independent Ceylon.

Before handing over the administration, the British sought the opinion of the minorities, the Tamils and the Muslims. Tamils requested 50-50 share of the Power.  However Dr. T. B. Jayah said that Muslims trusted the Sinhala leaders and therefore the administration be handed over to the Sinhalese. The issues concerning the Muslims could be discussed with the Sinhala leaders. It was only then the Administration was handed over to Hon. D.S. Senanayake by the British.

Although Independence was granted the Head of State was the King of England. During that time it was Queen Elizabeth who was the Head of State. She appointed several Governors from time to time. They were : Henry Monk Mason Moore, Lord Soulbury, Sir Oliver Goonetilake and Sir William Gopallawa. The final Court was the Privy Council in England. 

It was in 22nd May 1972 Sri Lanka gained full Independence. Sri Lanka became a Republic on 22nd May 1972. That was when Hon. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the Prime Minister. The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth ceased to be the Head of State and therefore the then Governor, Sir William Gopallawa became First President of Sri Lanka. The Supreme Court became the final Court of Justice.

The National Flag:

When the question of deciding a National Flag arose, the then Member of Parliament for Batticoloa Mr. Sinna Lebbe proposed that the flag used by the Last King of Ceylon be adopted. Then Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake appointed a Committee to look into this matter and report. The Committee to decide on a flag comprised Hon. S.W. R. D. Bandaranayke as the Chairman and J. R. Jayawardene, Sir John Kotelawala, Dr. T. B. Jayah and G. G. Ponnambalam. The committee recommended the present National Flag which was adopted as the Official National of Sri Lanka. 

The National Anthem.

During the first Independence Day celebration on 4th February 1948 the National Anthem and the National Flag was different. The National Anthem did not have the word " Sri Lanka Matha" it had only Namo Namo Matha. 

The National Anthem was composed by Ananda Samarakoon. It was first sung by Ananda Samarakone and Swarna de Silva. 

Wapche Marikkar

Mr. Wapche Marikkar a well known Philanthropist, and a constructor, constructed the National Museum, General Post Office building, the Customs and Times Building which stands as the Architectural Masterpiece which stands as Monuments to this day. 

The then British Governor, impressed by his contribution, requested to ask what he wanted as an Honour. Wapche Marikkar told the British Governor that he will be greatly honoured if the Museum was closed on Fridays. From that day the National Museum  has been closed on Fridays. Such was the love and respect , the great Muslims of the calibre of Wapche Marikar maintained. 

The nature of Muslims

Muslims are peace loving citizens. They are true patriots. They always co-operated with the Kings and all the rulers upto now. They like in harmony with the Sinhalese and Tamils. They never wanted a separate state nor a divided Sri Lanka. They do not have an iota of idea to convert this land into a Muslim country as has been accused by some elements. 

They made immense sacrifice of their life and property for the Unity of Sri Lanka. During the height of separatist was from 1980 to 2009 Muslims always stood for a united Sri Lanka. They did not join the separatist group nor did they support it. 

Hence they paid the biggest price. In 1990 they were chased out of Jaffna and asked to leave within 2 hours leaving their lands, houses, vehicles, cattle, money and property. They lived in jungles as Refugees for a long period of time. Some still live in refugee camps. Such was the sacrifice made by the Muslims for the Unity and territorial integrity of this country. 

Muslims love their Motherland Sri Lanka more than their Sinhala and Tamil compatriots. They will continue to live like that. They won their rights and privileges by talking peacefully with the Sinhala Administration. It was through peaceful means that they obtained their rights such as Muslim Holidays, Muslim Schools, Ramazan Holidays and various other facilities to satisfy their cultural and religious needs. 

Muslims will continue to love their Motherland and are willing to sacrifice their life and property for the sake of a United and Prosperous Sri Lanka.