Series of events organisd to mark Malay contribution to enrichment of Lanka for centuries

Centennial and sesquicentennial anniversaries of SLMA and CMCC

By Saman Indrajith

A series of cultural, sports, literary, commemorative and aesthetic events have been organised by the Sri Lanka Malay Association and the Colombo Malay Cricket Club to mark their centennial and sesquicentennial anniversaries respectively,throughout this year.

“The series of SLMA centenary commemoration is scheduled to be inaugurated on 22 Jan. with the issuance of a first day cover and thereafter it will be marked with several sports tournaments, a symposium, commemorative cricket charity dinner, Malay walk, launch of a coffee table book and commemorative jubilee book. The events are organised to be held throughout the year,” Rilwan Lantra, President SLMA told a press conference held at Padang Complex in Colombo on Tuesday.

He said: “A ‘Pasara Malam,’ a hawker-street styled Malay food festival, along with a Malay cultural show, an event to showcase Lankan Malay lifestyle is scheduled for July. A symposium is scheduled for September where research papers would be presented on contributions made to the nation by Lankan Malays and how they have imbibed well with the national fabric. In October a ‘Malay Rally’, a gathering of the community to promote peace and brotherhood with sports, cultural and various other events will be held. There will be a ‘Heroes Day’ in November as a mark of respect to the fallen Malay heroes and all who sacrificed their lives in the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of mother Lanka,” Lantra said.

Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMMC) past President Ibnusha Ally said that interaction and advent of the Malays could be traced as far as back as the Sixth and Seventh Centuries. “They have amalgamated well with the mainstream community, sharing their unique culture and traditions. Today these facets could be seen countrywide, enriching the lifestyles of the populace. Same can be said of its brothers contributing much to the development of the country in academia, corporate business, the tri-forces and police, aesthetics, social services and many other fields. It is a legacy enacted in the pages of history,” Ally said.

CMCC Vice President Hussain Jayah, its General Secretary, Roshan Allang, CMCC President Rizwan Badoordeen, CMCC Captain Rinaldin Rahaman and General Secretary of SLMA Rilwan Careem also addressed the media.