Minister Anwer Ismail passed away

Minister of Irrigation, M.I. Anwer Ismail passed away Thursday evening, , September 13, 2007 at a private hospital, in Colombo. He was admitted to the hospital couple of days ago.

Mr. Anwer Ismail was born in 1967. He had obtained his primary education at Minarul Uloom Vidyalaya, Sammanthurai and secondary education at Sammanthurai National College. He entered to the Colombo University where he was graduated as LLB and then became Attorney-at- Law.

Mr. Anwer Ismail elected as a Parliamentarian in 2001 Parliamentary elections under the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress list contesting in the Digamdulla District. He entered the Parliament as an appointed member under the UPFA national list and offered non-cabinet portfolio. He had done a great service to Sammanthurai people as a Minister of Irrigation especially in supply of water and developing the infrastructure system for paddy cultivation in the area.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), which claims to be the representative of the majority of the one million strong Sri Lankan Muslims, faced grave internal conflict and challenge when internally, a group of Eastern Muslims led by ALM Athaullah, AR Abdul Cader and Anwer Ismail were revolting against their leader, then Shipping Minister Rauff Hakeem.

Mr. Anwer Ismail was also instrumental and played key role in forming a group against the SLMC leader Mr. Hakeem. This group charged Hakeem as an outsider (who comes from Kandy) and accused of being soft towards the LTTE and sacrificing the interests of the Muslims in the Eastern province.

Mr. Anwer Ismail's janaza is kept at Sammanthurai town hall for last respect by the public. Janaza will be taken today after Jummah prayers.