Sri Lanka Muslim
Family Genealogy
Kariapper
Family Genealogy Database files
The Kariapper
family of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka consists of three
main factions/groups as follow:
1.
Karaivahu 1 Thambi
Neintha Kariapper (Family #211)
2.
Karaivahu 2 Ibralebbe
Kariapper (Family #203)
3.
Kotabowa AhamaduLebbe
Kariapper (Family
#219)
It is not
known how the name Kariapper came to be and whether Thambi
Neintha Kariapper or Ibralebbe Kariapper had any
blood relationship. It seems that it is a title describing a
post. The name was not supposed to be carried on as a surname
or a family name.
It is only AhamaduLebbe
Kariapper (#219) of Kotabowa, Wellassa (now Monoragala),
who married the daughter of Ibralebbe Kariapper of
Kalmunaikudy, who first started the tradition of using the
name "Kariapper" as his family name (to be inherited from
father) and started the Kariapper Dynasty. However, certain
male individuals in Thambi Neintha Kariapper family (#211)
have also chosen to adopt Kariapper (shown with an "*" here to
draw attention) as their family name. In addition there have
been many intermarriages between these three families, thus
enabling the free use of the “Kariapper” family name across
many of the descendants.
000
Prince Abdul Rahman Lebbe
00 Daughter
0 Meera
Usan Aboobakr Kariapper
2 (Daughter)
+ Ahamedu Lebbe Kariapper (219)
6 Haadia Kariapper
+ Shabir Galely (s/o Ibrahim Galely from Surat India)
7 Alifiya
Galely + Ihab Naji (Iraq)
8 Malaika
Naji
7 Hussain
Galely + Simona Galely (Romania)
4 Zubair Kariapper
4 Zain Kariapper
5 [16] Jameel Saleem Kariapper (I. P.) + [17]
d/o mother's brother Hanoon Ismail
5 [18] Bashir Saleem Kariapper
|
6 Melissa Rauff |
6 Shehan Rauff |
5 Razana Rauff & Yoosuf (div.) |
6 Mehnaz Yoosuf |
6 Hana Yoosuf |
5 Ishrath Rauff & Rozana |
6 Dahlia Rauff |
6 Liyaanah Rauff |
6 Adanaan Rauff |
3 Daughter +. Ahamed Lebbe Haji
6 Shaffeena Ahamed (UK) + Atham Bawa Ahamed Lebbe
(dec)
7
Rezan Lebbe
7
Kazan Ahamed Lebbe + Nasfa Yahya d/o Yahya & Zohra (nee
Rajabdeen)
7
Daniel Kayne
6 2nd
Spouse of Shaffeena Ahamed (UK)
+ Ahamed
Azlaff Sahill (USA) 1958 (m:2016) (76)
6 Inoon Ahamed + Mohideen Sikkander
7 Shazleen + Name Not Known (Canada)
7 Dr. (Name Not Known)
6 Liyaquath Ahamed + Hidaya
Saleem (112)
6 Jehan Ahamed + Jennifer
6 Faroukiya Ahamed + Ahamed Jiffrey
7
Shifana Jiffrey + Dr. Ilham
7
Shifaz Jiffrey + Asma
7
Shahra Jiffrey
6
Sabriya Ahamed + M M Musthafa (MYOWN)
7
Rizna Musthafa + Name Not Known
7
Rizley Musthafa
7
Ramley Musthafa
6 Abath Ahamed
6 Murad Ahamed + Shibliya (Sammanthurai)
5 daughter + Khader Mohideen
6 Ghazali
Mohideen
4 Farlina
Kariapper + Mohamed Thamby Saheed Ahmed
7
Daughter (Name Not Known)
7
Son (Name Not Known)
5
Latheefa
Saheed Ismail + Muhammad
Ghazzali Ismail (Leon) (173)
6
Childrens names Not Known
5 Marzoona + Abdeen (Nawalapitiya)
6 Zakir +
6 Ruhi Kariappper
5 Jareena Kariapper
4 Mohamed Hussain (Zahir) Kariapper (District Judge)
+Jezeema Mohamed Thahir
6
Mareena + Mahroof (PhD)
7
Sarah Murshid Sinnalebbe
7
Fathima Adheena Mohamed Zakkey
4
Fathima Natchia Meera Lebbe + Abdul Hameed Marikar Thombuthor
(Registrar) (211)
5
[14] Balkis Saleem Kariapper + [15] Mohammed Abdul Cader
Mohammed Cassim of Sainthamaruthu
5
[16] Jameel Saleem Kariapper (I. P.) + [17] d/o mother's brother
Hanoon Ismail
5
[18] Bashir Saleem Kariapper
2 IBRA LEBBE Kariapper + Sister of
Periyathambi Alimu (from Kilakkarai in South India)
4 Majeed Vannia KOS MOHAMED NOTARIS+ MARYAM
MEERA LEBBE PODI VANNIYA.
5 [250] Merza Majid (MP, Kalmunai, 1952) +
[251] Fathima Mohamed
Hussain [d/o Father's sister SAFFIYA KOS MOHAMED]
6 Inpa Laksana Maryam Merza+ Jauffer Mohamed
Hussain-Attorney at-Law
7 Jehana Jauffer + Riffai
8 Imdaad Riffai
7 Rumy Jauffer +
7 Shcifana Jauffer + Nafiys Alawudeen
7 Shiraz Jauffer +
6 Ifthikar Rustom Mirzaa + Nazrien Katheeja
Majeed (Daughter of former Nintavur MP M. I. M. Abdul Majeed)
7 Shakira Mirzaa +Shafraz MOHAMED THAMBY
8 Ayaan Umar Shafraz
7 Tariq Mirzaa + Zainab Jawahir
8 Hayaa Tariq
8 Eesa Tariq
7 Shariq Mirzaa
6 Imru Shiras Merza + Issathu Nisa Sheriff
7 Janina Merza +
5 Rasheed Majid Engineer + Razna Mohammed Cassim
[90]
6 Azad Rasheed +
6 Dr.Amir Rasheed +
6 Mareena Rasheed +
6 Ruzaina Rasheed +
5 Kadeejah Majeed [Mother of B. A. Majeed (MP,
Sammanthurai) + 1st
spouse of Mohamed
Ali- Post Master
6 BA Majeed (Former Minister) Mohamed Ali + Razinathul
Kadeeja Ismail Durai -Engineer
7 Faroouki Majeed + Yesmin Junaideen
7 Faloona Majeed + Naoshaad MAJEED
7 Maliky Majeed + Jennath MIRZA
7 Nasser Majeed + Quraisha MIRZA
7 Lafir Majeed + Shanaz Wahida MAJEED
6 Ummu Salma Mohamed Ali
+ Abdul Majeed Mohamed Ismail -Former Nintavur MP
7 Shiraaz Majeed + Thajoon AW KARIAPPER
7 Mumthaj Shireen MAJEED + Jawahir
7 Naoshaad Majeed + Faloona Majeed (D/o BA Majeed
Former Minister)
7 Naphees Majeed (Passed away in his early age)
7 Nazrien Khathija Majeed + Ifthikar Rustom Mirzaa (S/o
Mirza MP)
7 Farahnaz Majeed + Larif Amir Ali
7 Muhuzina Manon MAJEED + Prof.MMA Cader (first
South Eastern University Vice Chancellor)
6 Razeena Mohamed Ali + Mirza Mohamed Ali
5 Sumsun Nahar Majeed + Dr.Meeralebbe Mohamed Thamby
6 Dr.Farouk Meeralebbe + Iynoon AW Kariapper
7 Akram Farouk +
7 Nuzrath Farook + Jauher
7 Farhath Farook +
6 Latheefa Meeralebbe + Jabbar -Lawyer
7 Rameez Jabbar +
6 Shafi Meeralebbe + not married (Passed away)
5 Noor Jahan Majeed + Rasheed (Clerk) Mohamed
Hussain
6 Sithee Rashida Rasheed
+ Faleel Mohamed Ismail
7 Roshan Faleel
+ Nowfer Musthaffa (Former Minister & Nintavur MP)
7 Makshood Faleel
+ Yasmin Nizwani Shafideen
7 Zulfikar Faleel
+ Nushrath Iqbal Kariapper (G/D/o MS Kariapper)
6 Hanoon Rasheed + Jiffry Kariapper (G/S/o Abdul Kareem
Kariapper vanniya-Eravurpatu)
7 Arooza Kariapper + Lafeer (TA)
8 Javed Lafeer + Afroz Kariapper
8 Fazrin Nifla +Malik Fairoze
9 Aaliyah Malik
8 Insaf Naseem + Fathima Zahra Nazeer
8 Hasnaa Mowjood + Nadir Haseem
8 Hamshade Kariapper
8 Hiba Kariapper
7 Fazly Kariapper +
6 Jazeema Rasheed + Zubair Ahmed Lebbe
7 Fahmy Zubair + Jesliya Abdullah
8 Zaina Fahmy
8 Khidash Fahmy
8 Bilal Fahmy
7 Dr.Safras Zubair + Bushra Wahid
8 Yoosuf Sarfraz
7 Sabira Zubair + Eng.M.M.M.Nazeel
8 Nazaha Nazeel
8 Infaz Nazeel
8 Haani Nazeel
6 Gafoor Rasheed + Ayesha Mohammed Thamby
7 Aslam Fahmy Gafoor + Nisba Nowfer
8 Mehnaz Aslam Fahmy
8 Ayyash Ahamed Ismath Sabry
8 Aalim Ismath Sabry
8 Areeb Al Faras Arshad Faha
6 Muhsina Rasheed + Fowser Hanifa
7 Mazeeda Fowser + Riyad Badurdeen
8 Rashad Riyad
7 Rushdy Fowser + Sharika Kamal
8 Emaad Rushdy
8 Shaad Rushdy
6 Jinnaah Rasheed + Junaitha Sathakathullah
7 Inas Jinnaah +
Naufaloon Buhary
8 Alisha Naufaloon
8 Ayan Naufaloon
7 Dr.Sara Jinnaah + Dr.Rifly Rafiudeen
8 Amilia Rifly
7 Minha Jinnaah + Hisham Zarook
8 Mikael Hisham
8 Zakry Hisham
7 Hurriya Jinnaah + Akhil Fakeer
8 Gibreel Akhil
8 Noor Akhil
6 Riffa Rasheed + Saleem Habeeb
5
Ayesha (Faleela) Majeed [Mother of CTB Chairman + 2nd spouse
of Mohamed
Ali - Post Master
6 Abdul Razak Mohamed Ali + Zareena Mohamed
Ali
6 Pushpam Mohamed Ali + Jaleel Manager
6 Mustaq Mohamed Ali + Hidaya Cader
4 [201] Khadeeja KOS MOHAMED NOTARIS + [200] Abdul
Latheef Kariapper (had 13 children of which 1 died in
infancy, 1 died in early youth)
5 [90] Umme Salma Kariapper + [91] Mohamed Ahamed
Lebbe (MAL) Kariapper (211)
6 Izzet Kariapper + M. P. Y. Izzedeen
(Mohideen)
7 Mahroof Izzedeen +
8 Daughter + Marrikar -MP of Colombo
9 Fathima Zara Marrikar
7 Hafi Amir Izzedeen + Kamila
6 Marzoona Kariapper + Abdeen (Nawalapitiya)
7 [41] Mueed Abdeen + [40] Shafeela Jameel Kariapper
8 Mohammed
Ikram Abdeen
8 Mohammed Ishki Abdeen
8 Ishnia Abdeen + Tharik Kariapper (S/O Fazeel Kariapper)
6 Noorjehan Kariapper + Jauffer Sadiq
8 Daughter +
7 Maznavi Sadiq (Ambassador, Saudi Arabia (in 2005) +
7 Muzammil Sadiq + (name not known)
7 Maheeza Kariapper +
7 Rameeza Kariapper + Jowzi Abdul Jabbar
6 Abdul Majeed Jiffrey Kariapper* + Dr. Rehana
Mohiyuddin (Doctor in Lahore, Pakistan)*
6 Muhammad Marzook Kariapper* + Dr. Rehana Mohiyuddin
(Doctor in Lahore, Pakistan)* (widow of Jiffrey)
7 Zahir Hussain +
6 Zam Zam Kariapper + Ilma Majeed
7 Shujaah Kariapper
7 Zaneer Kariapper
7 Fathima Azkaa Kariapper + Saamir Abdul Saleem
8 Idris Saamir
6 Zulfika Kariapper + Mohamed Malik
7 Aaqil Malik +
7 Aahid Malik +
7 Aasim Malik +
7 Ziyan Malik
7 Fathima Haya Kariapper
7 Maryam Hamziya Kariapper
6 Khateeja Kariapper +
7 Faslan Subair +
7 Hasna Subair +
7 Hafsa Subair +
6 Hilmi Kariapper + Sameera
7 Shafee Abdullah Kariapper
7 Syed Rila Abdullah Kariapper
7 Iqzan Ahamed Moinudeen
7 Busra Islam Moinudeen
7 Husni Musharaff Moinudeen
7 Himas Abdulla Moinudeen
6 Arshad Kariapper + Shafiya Rowsan
7 Fathima Leena Kariapper
7 Hafsa Subair
7 Atheefa Kariapper
7 Atheef Kariapper
7 Syed Amar Kariapper
7 Akram Farook +
7 Nuzrath Farook + Jauher
7 Farhath Farook +
6 GMT Gulam Mohamed Thoufeeq Kariapper + Jaseema
Mahmood Lebbe
7 Fiqra GMT Kariapper + Hilmy Jiffry
Kariapper
8 Hamshadh Kariapper
8 Hibba Kariapper
7 Shihara GMT Kariapper + Uwaiz Ismail
8 Izaz Uwaiz
8 AamaniUwaiz
8 Yunoos Uwaiz
6 Thajoon AW Kariapper+ Shiraz
Majeed (Son of former Nintavur MP M. I. M. Abdul Majeed)
7 Mirfath +
7 Rezmie +
7 Zakie +
6 Ameer Kariapper (now in Canada)+ Farida Izadeen
7 Rameeza Kariapper
6 [51] Hidhaya Kariapper + [50] Farooq Kariapper (Son
of MS Kariapper)
7 (son) Kariapper
7 Nushrath Kariapper +Zulfikar Faleel
7 (Daughter) Kariapper
6 Hidhayathullah Kariapper (died young)+ name not
known
7 Safnas Kariapper
6 Himaya Kariapper + Ilyas Sherif
7 Imadh Ilyas
7 Anis Zahida Mohideen
7 Roshi Mohideen
7 Zamina Mohideen
6 Abdulla Zuhardeen [Nizar] Kariapper + Mufeeda
Jamaldeen
7 Fathima Afrin Kariapper
7 Muhamed Aadil Kariapper
6 Zameer Kariapper + Fathima Shanaz
7 Mohamed Aashif Kariapper + Fathima Sajidha
Mansoor
7 Fathima Shazna Kariapper + Mohamed Sabri
Ashraff
8 Thashreef Sideek
8 Thasneem Sideek
8 Thanzeeha Sideek
8 Thasdeeque Sideek
7 Ahamed Safa Afrak Rafeek + Deenah Mahroof d/o
Mohamed Mahroof and Zainab
8 Ahamed Zayn Afrak
6 Siddeque Kariapper (Lake House) + Fathima Naleera
7 Afroz Kariapper + Javed Lafeer
7 Afri Kariapper
7 Anaf Kariapper
6
Jasmin (Baby) Kariapper + Ibrahim
7 Ruhi Kariappper
6 Jareena Kariapper
4 Safiya KOS MOHAMED NOTARIS + Mohamed Hussain
5 Fathima Hussain + [250] Mirza (MP,
Kalmunai, 1952)
6 Inpa Laksana Maryam Merza+ Jauffer Mohamed
Hussain-Attorney at-Law
7 Jehana Jauffer + Riffai
8 Imdaad Riffai
7 Rumy Jauffer +
7 Shcifana Jauffer + Nafiys Alawudeen
7 Shiraz Jauffer +
6 Ifthikar Rustom Mirzaa + Nazrien Katheeja
Majeed (Daughter of former Nintavur MP M. I. M. Abdul Majeed)
7 Shakira Mirzaa +Shafraz MOHAMED THAMBY
8 Ayaan Umar Shafraz
7 Tariq Mirzaa + Zainab Jawahir
8 Hayaa Tariq
8 Eesa Tariq
7 Shariq Mirzaa
6 Imru Shiras Merza + Issathu Nisa Sheriff
7 Janina Merza +
5 Mohammed
Rasheed Hussain + Noor Jahan Majeed
6 Sithee Rashida Rasheed
+ Faleel Mohamed Ismail
7 Roshan
Faleel + Nowfer Musthaffa (Former Minister & Nintavur
MP)
7 Makshood
Faleel + Yasmin Nizwani Shafideen
7 Zulfikar
Faleel + Nushrath Iqbal Kariapper (G/D/o MS Kariapper)
6 Hanoon Rasheed + Jiffry Kariapper (G/S/o Abdul Kareem
Kariapper vanniya-Eravurpatu)
7 Arooza Kariapper + Lafeer (TA)
8 Javed Lafeer + Afroz Kariapper
8 Fazrin Nifla +Malik Fairoze
9 Aaliyah Malik
8 Insaf Naseem + Fathima Zahra Nazeer
8 Hasnaa Mowjood + Nadir Haseem
8 Hamshade Kariapper
8 Hiba Kariapper
7 Fazly Kariapper +
6 Jazeema Rasheed + Zubair Ahmed Lebbe
7 Fahmy Zubair + Jesliya Abdullah
8 Zaina Fahmy
8 Khidash Fahmy
8 Bilal Fahmy
7 Dr.Safras Zubair + Bushra Wahid
8 Yoosuf Sarfraz
7 Sabira Zubair + Eng.M.M.M.Nazeel
8 Nazaha Nazeel
8 Infaz Nazeel
8 Haani Nazeel
6 Gafoor Rasheed + Ayesha Mohammed Thamby
7 Aslam Fahmy Gafoor + Nisba Nowfer
8 Mehnaz Aslam Fahmy
8 Ayyash Ahamed Ismath Sabry
8 Aalim Ismath Sabry
8 Areeb Al Faras Arshad Faha
6 Muhsina Rasheed + Fowser Hanifa
7 Mazeeda Fowser + Riyad Badurdeen
8 Rashad Riyad
7 Rushdy Fowser + Sharika Kamal
8 Emaad Rushdy
8 Shaad Rushdy
6 Jinnaah Rasheed + Junaitha Sathakathullah
7 Inas Jinnaah +
Naufaloon Buhary
8 Alisha Naufaloon
8 Ayan Naufaloon
7 Dr.Sara Jinnaah + Dr.Rifly Rafiudeen
8 Amilia Rifly
7 Minha Jinnaah + Hisham Zarook
8 Mikael Hisham
8 Zakry Hisham
7 Hurriya Jinnaah + Akhil Fakeer
8 Gibreel Akhil
8 Noor Akhil
6 Riffa Rasheed + Saleem Habeeb
4 Hassan (Clerker) Hussain + Subaitha Umma Mohammed
Sheriff (AKP)
5 Ranee + xxx
5 Baby + xxx
5 Ansar Hassan +
5 Ferosa Hassan + xxx
4 Abdul Careem KOS MOHAMED NOTARIS + Khadeeja MUSTHAFFA LEBBE PODI
POLISANA
6 Mohamed Basheer Ali A Hameed + Jareena Thamby
Lebbe Podiyar
7 Shimara Basheer Ali + Fadil Fazie
7 Sheza Fadil
7 Shanza Fadil
7 Nabiha Basheer Ali +
6 Mohamed Nazeer A Hameed + Fareeda
7 Fathima Shifara Nazeer
6 Abdul Careem A Hameed + Mumthaj Hussain
7 Zhikra Careem + Safraz
7 Lemadh Safraz
7 Zulfa Careem
7 Amrah Careem
7 Adheeb Careem
6 Nafizathul Sithee Junaitha A Hameed + Mohamed
Manaff Mohamed Ismail
6 Sitheek Mohamed Ali A Hameed +
Ummu Hakeena Atham Lebbe Podiyar
7 Fathima Fareeha Sitheek
7 Faroouqi Sitheek
6 Naseema A Hameed + Mansoor Uthuman Lebbe
6 Jazeema A Hameed + Samsudeen Meeransahib
7 Noor Fathima Samsudeen
6 Jazeem A Hameed +
7 @MaryamJazeem
www.maryamjazeem.com
5 Abdul Majeed Abdul Careem - Rtd.Post
Master + Sithy Junaitha Zain
7 Shujaah Kariapper
7 Zaneer Kariapper
7 Fathima Azkaa Kariapper + Saamir Abdul
Saleem
7 Idris Saamir
6 [213] Imam Majeed + Fareena Shaheed Shehu
Madar
7 Hamra Imam
5 [211] Razeena Umma Abdul Careem + [210] MC
Kariapper ABDUL LATHEEF KARIAPPER
6 Zarook Kariapper + Fareena Farook
7 Zahir Hussain +
6 Zam Zam Kariapper + Ilma Majeed
7 Shujaah Kariapper
7 Zaneer Kariapper
7 Fathima Azkaa Kariapper + Saamir Abdul Saleem
7 Idris Saamir
6 Zulfika Kariapper + Mohamed Malik
7 Aaqil Malik +
7 Aahid Malik +
7 Aasim Malik +
7 Ziyan Malik
6 Zahira Kariapper + Anver Cader Mohideen
7 Anis Zahida Mohideen
7 Roshi Mohideen
7 Zamina Mohideen
6 Abdulla Zuhardeen [Nizar] Kariapper + Mufeeda
Jamaldeen
7 Fathima Afrin Kariapper
7 Muhamed Aadil Kariapper
6 Zameer Kariapper + Fathima Shanaz
7 Mohamed Aashif Kariapper + Fathima Sajidha
Mansoor
7 Fathima Shazna Kariapper + Mohamed Sabri
Ashraff
7 Dr.Muneer + Fathima Sazana Naleem
7 Shazia Muneer
7 Mahdi Muneer
7 Fawzul Muneera Aboobacker +
7 Aadilah Aboobucker + Riyas Majeed
7 Hafza Fathima Riyas
6 Rafeek Ismail + Rameeza Halaldeen
7 Bilal Rafeek +
7 Hilal Rafeek +
7 Naz Rafeek + Faiq Meedin
6 Noorul Jesmin Ismail + Mohamed Saleem Meeralebbe
6 Anver Ismail + Hajara Beebi Ahamed
7 Rushda NAJEEB + Dr.Shabeer IBRA LEBBE
7 Shirinthaj NAJEEB + Hinoshiyaan SALEEH
6 Rani Jithaya MAKEEN + Mohamed Fazeel BADURDEEN
7 Mohamed Shamli FAZEEL
4 RAHUMATH NAACHIA -Vishwa KOS MOHAMED NOTARIS + MM
Caseem Kariapper
5 [12] Jezima Mohammed Cassim Kariapper + [3]
M. A. M. Hussain, District Judge, d:2000
5 Ummu Rahma Mohammed Cassim Kariapper +
Mohammed Aleem
5 Hamza Mohammed Cassim Kariapper (bachelor)
4 RAHMAH KOS MOHAMED NOTARIS + Dr.OSMAN MEERALEBBE PODI
VANNIYA
6 Rameez
Aboosally + Mohantha Soysa
6 Nilu Aboosally
+ Zarkir Abdulhussein
6 Shanaz
Aboosally + Sulaiman Niyas
6 Laila
Aboosally + Jehaan Ismail (173)
6 Sharm Aboosally + Dilip Kodikara
7 Al Zamil Gazali +
7 Daughter Gazali + Jiffry Marzook
7 Daughter Gazali +
6 Fawzy Saleem +
Yesmin Mashoor Mawlana (D/O Senator Mashoor Mowlana )
7 Fawmiya Fawzy
7 Roshana Fawzy
6 Faizal Saleem +
6 Faleel Saleem +
6 Riza Saleem +
6 Marhima Saleem (died young )
6 Zanoofa Saleem
(died young)
6 Fareena Saleem (died young)
4 ZAINAB-(HAJARA) KOS MOHAMED NOTARIS + MM Ismail
Kariapper
5 Baby (AYSHA BEGUM) + Aboobaker Thambikkandu
6 Habeeba (Suraiha Begum) Aboobakr + Yasser Sulaman
Lebbe Podiyar(Sammanthurai)
7 Afridha Haanim Yasser
7 Aini Yasser
6 Samsath Begum Aboobaker + Murshid Sinnalebbe
(Grandson of Mudaliar Ahamed Lebbe Sinne Lebbe, also known as
Ahamedlebbe Sinnalebbe (born 2 June 1902), was a Ceylonese
merchant and former Member of Parliament represented Batticaloa
District.
7 Qaidh Murshid Sinnalebbe
7 Qaim Murshid Sinnalebbe
7 Sarah Murshid Sinnalebbe
6 Mohamed Zakkey Aboobakr + Roshana
7 Mohamed Mahdee bin Mohamed Zakkey
7 Mohamed Haziq bin Mohamed Zakkey
7 Fathima Adheena Mohamed Zakkey
**
A.L. Abdul Azeez - DN Fri Mar 13
2009
In 1989,
writing in a daily newspaper, I recalled my last conversation
with the late Gate Mudliyar M.S. Kariapper. Looking in my eyes,
the ailing Gate Mudliyar studiously asked me “Are you studying
well?” He knew then that I was reading for law. It was on the
day he was rushed to a private hospital in Colombo where he
breathed his last.
In the twenty
years that ensued, I have gone from being a student of law to a
student of international relations. Yet, as the late Gate
Mudliyar would often remark, “I am still a student”.
The late
Kariapper was an internationalist, who lived ahead of his time
and who encouraged the youth to look beyond what seemed
immediate into the world at large. He told me once that he was
living close to the beach because he ‘liked to look beyond the
horizon’.
In my many encounters with the late Kariapper, I found to my
youthful amazement, that he was a man of many parts; an epitome
of a mix of ingenuity and elegance. As I digested over the years
some of what he shared with me in my youth days, my appreciation
of him grew ever deeper, inculcating in me an unshakable belief
that he had a thorough understanding of the world’s history, a
comprehensive grasp of contemporary thoughts from philosophy to
politics, and a deeper knowledge of linguistics and literature
and of civilisations and cultures.
This is aside
from his expertise in the subject of tropical farming and
agro-economics which he was familiar with as a civil
administrator, especially during the war times. And add to it
the gift of the gab and the fun of the pun he commanded. From
all this flowed his innate, immaculate ability to narrate
anecdotes and accounts of history, often interspersed them. In
his conception, such empowerment at local level would have its
reflection on the strength of national unity and cohesion aside
from engendering wealth and prosperity in the long run.
He had a
manifest concern for the protection of the environment. His
training in the discipline of tropical agriculture had
transformed his thinking and perspective towards the
environment. A document published in 1936 has acknowledged in
particular that the late Kariapper was elected in the year 1923
“in recognition of the keen interest he took in the game
protection”, an honourary member of the Ceylon Game and Fauna
Protection Society.
“He is today
one of the four honourary members which the Society has,
including D.S. Senanayake, Minister of Agriculture and Land”.
It was no
surprise therefore that the late Kariapper had an intrinsic
belief that no development would be sustainable unless it was
underpinned by an inclusive process integrating all relevant
factors and concerns. As Sri Lanka broke free from colonial
bondage, bolstered by his new found influence and authority in
the post-independent establishment, Gate Mudliyar gave
expression to this belief by helping in launching of an
integrated system of development, which had at its heart, the
development of the Gal Oya reservoir.
Many appear to
view the Gal Oya project as an irrigation scheme, intended
primarily to benefit the peasantry. There was no denial for
that.
For the late
Kariapper however, the entire enterprise represented an
innovative, inclusive, coordinated effort going beyond unlocking
the region’s irrigation potential alone.
He emphasised
as much on launching adequate ecologically synchronised
activities as on undertaking such as grand scheme. Such an
approach, in his view, would bring a sense of balance to the
whole enterprise thus making it overall environment-friendly.
His whole approach to agricultural productivity, sustainable
livelihood, town planning and development, and human settlement
was deeply grounded on this holistic vision.
In one of my
encounters in the 1980s, the late Kariapper brought home to me
an important point which struck me most. That was about the
impact of accelerated urbanisation in Kalmunai, a town and a
commercial hub, which the late Kariapper himself helped to
develop at an early stage. Gate Mudliyar lamented then that the
people of that region had failed to tap the potential of human
settlement that proceeded with the development of Gal Oya. By
refusing to move out of that overcrowded town and its
surrounding areas, the people, as he put it to me, had only
denied their next generation a space for decent living, with
serious health consequences in time to come.
He deeply felt
that the increasing tendency among the people to seek to live as
a compact unit in a tight place would in the course of time put
a tremendous pressure on the limited infrastructure and services
to cater to the needs of a vertically growing community. His
main worry was that if the development of this region were to
continue at this pace, the day would not be far off when it
would be bursting at its seams.
In a country
that had emerged from the yoke of colonialism - in what is known
in International Law as the realisation of the right to
self-determination development was rather seen as a process of
both consolidating that right as well as giving meaning and
content to it. Having served as Vanniyar Mudliyar under the
colonial administration in the region, Gate Mudliyar had
acquired a fund of knowledge and experience in addition to a
vast network of high level contacts. As much as he wanted to put
this to use for the people and the region, so was there a
greater call to public service awaiting him from ‘Ceylon’s’
independence leaders.
The late D.S.
Senanayake, the Father of Independent Ceylon, was understandably
his great admirer. Further as far back as 1948, ‘politics’ was
recognised perhaps as a higher means of public service,
something the late Kariapper would not have relented. His advent
to politics in 1948 therefore was logical, and was intended to
help harness that fund to expanding the choice of the people as
development is currently understood in socio-economic
discourses.
As his
political trajectory bears out, the late Kariapper acquitted
himself admirably in this task to his last day in the
legislature, through his dedication to causes ranging from the
development of the Gal-Oya Multi-purpose Reservoir Scheme, to
building of schools with a particular emphasis on the education
of Muslim girls, and to the development of Kalmunai region.
The late
Kariapper’s vision of ‘development’ was both exemplary and
inspiring. He was ahead of the curve when it came to the
understanding of the concept of development. With his experience
in, and exposure to, the development of agriculture and land as
well as development of irrigation and human settlement, and
thanks especially to his grasp of contemporary trends and
thoughts, his vision of development had emphasis on
sustainability and participatory approaches. It put premium on
the involvement of the local communities in activities that were
intended to empower.
My recent visit
to my birthplace made me realise Gate Mudliyar’s prediction was
already coming true. With our belief in the symbolism of
physical wealth, that manifests itself in the construction of
huge buildings and complexes without taking into account
environmental concerns, and with virtually no leadership in
sustainable town planning and management, the space for natural
living has shrunk to a point where not just the health of the
people but their thinking and values as well are being affected.
The tsunami tidal waves which took a heavy toll of life in the
region on December 26, 2004 is only a case in point in this
regard.
He was a
multifaceted personage, who was a leader, an environmentalist, a
development practitioner, and above all, an internationalist. He
gave of his best in the service of the nation, the region and
its people. He had articulated concepts and thoughts on
wide-ranging themes from sustainable development, to human
settlement, to environment protection long before they became
part of the international discourses. Releasing of a
commemorative stamp by the Government of Sri Lanka in honour of
Gate Mudliyar is a fitting tribute to this great visionary and
legend. However, we need to do more.
When, in
future, some academic research is undertaken by a discerning
intellectual, it will bring out such aspects of his life that
lie beyond our ordinary grasp; aspects that, in my view, made up
the sum total of Gate Mudliyar.