"They’re only truly great who are truly good…"
(June 01, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) When George Chapman, the eminent English poet penned these words way back in the 16th Century, he would have been surely inspired by great people of his era who made a worthy contribution for the well being of fellow humans albeit going un-noticed in the annals of history, perhaps due to their largely unassuming nature. Such a ‘truly good’ man passed away on 06th March 2008 – the one and only M. H. Amit, whose life recounts are numerous, and exemplary for the present generation to follow.
We those who were fortunate enough to mingle with him can attribute many of our successes in life to this great soul, for he selflessly and unselfishly helped and inspired those who were around him, yet remained a humble man until he breathed his last. He was a politician to the core, a founder member of United National Party, yet had neither enemies nor detractors. This alone is an achievement that will be difficult to emulate, for in the tumultuous world of Sri Lankan politics, there are many conflicts of interests and many things, including one’s own life at stake.
He was an ardent critic of Marxism, yet Marxists loved him. He was at loggerheads with SLMC Members in Parliament, but always maintained a cordial relationship with them and commanded their respect. He mixed with ease with D. S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kotelawala, J. R. Jayewardene, R. Premadasa as well as D. B. Wijetunge (who was Private Secretary to Mr. A. Ratnayake, Minister of Food & Cooperative, when Mr. Amit was Private Secretary to Dr. T. B. Jayah, Minister of Labour and Social Services – in the first Independent Cabinet of Ceylon under Prime Minister Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake). They themselves were leaders of two eras.
Amit received a gold medal for 50 years service with the UNP and when he died, he was the only surviving founder member of UNP.
Many contemporary MPs and students of Sri Lankan politics would clamour for his company to learn from his knowledge, as they knew he was a walking encyclopaedia of Ceylon’s political history. His life combined the politics of both pre-independence and post independence events of the country. Amit was the last human being to depart from who gave evidence before the Donoughmore Commission, which was responsible for creating the Donoughmore Constitution in 1931. He was also a delegate of the All – Ceylon Muslim League which appeared before the Soulbury Commission. Amit never fought for the minorities as a separate entity and strongly believed in a united Ceylon and avoided communal politics from those early days. He was not a mere a compatriot but a role model for them.
Then again, to claim that he was a role model for politicians is doing injustice to the colourful life of Amit. He was a role model for all and sundry – politicians, academics, teachers, public servants, lawyers, philosophers, thinkers, philanthropists, parents and husbands alike. As a teacher, he has produced many an eminent student, among them, the globe trotting economist Dr. Gamini Corea, Livy Wijemanna (pioneer of the SLBC English programme), Dr. Wesumperuma of Sri Lanka Foundation, former IGPs Richard Aluvihare and Rudra Rajasingham, former Supreme Court Judges Justice Thambiah and Justice Ismail, former Ministers Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Jayasuriya, Sinhala Marikar (CAS) and M. L. M. Aboosally. In his memories Mr. Amit has mentioned that on a rough estimate he has taught over 10,000 students from all over the country!
As a lawyer he had an extensive practice for over 50 years. He was not only successful in the legal field but also known as a benevolent lawyer. Amit never demanded a legal fee but just accepted what was offered. On most occasions he knew of the collection only after going home. In one particular case, he appeared for a defendant for 14 years, free of charge, claiming that it was for the sake of God.
As a successful government servant Mr. Amit played a diverse role, holding various positions. He has been a member of the Board of Regents of the Colombo University, member of the Board of review on the Paddy Lands Act, member of the Muslim Advisory Committee of Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation, member of the Public Services Commission and Education Service Committed (under JR), Chairman of the Central Advisory Committee of the CTB, Chairman of the Rules Revision Committee of Ceylon Government Railway.
Amit also served in the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pakistan as secretary to Dr. T. B. Jayah – who happily accepted him as his son-in-law. In Pakistan, he helped build a large network of friends and determinedly worked tirelessly to foster cordial relationship between the two countries.
Regarding the yeoman service Dr. T. B. Jayah rendered to the nation as our High Commissioner in Pakistan, Mr. Amit wrote: "There is not the slightest doubt that the goodwill exists between Sri Lanka and Pakistan even today was due to the strong bond of friendship he had established during his stay in Pakistan."
He was loved by the people of Pakistan. His official residence in Clifton, Karachi became a centre of activity and a busy meeting place of politicians, social celebrities and activists.
In later years, when I visited with my wife Ameena this hallowed premises with Mr. Shamin A. Mohammadia and Mr. P. T. Ahamed – two great admirers of the late Jayah. I learnt that Shaheed – e Millath Liyaquath Ali, first Prime Minister of Pakistan was a frequent visitor to this Ceylon House, to discuss with Dr. Jayah many state affairs, including the important matter of the formulation of Pakistan’s first Constitution. This house was just adjoining the residence of Fathima Jinnah, the sister of the founder of Pakistan, Mohamed Ali Jinnah.
Although Mr. Amit never yearned for high office, he was destined to become a Member of Parliament.
It was in 1989, when R. Premadasa become President, that year, he selected a cross section of the society leaders to be appointed through the National List as MPs so that the House is well represented. Among the eminent persons he appointed were, Kalinga Obeywansa (traditional culture and arts), Dr. W. A. Fernando (Ayurveda physician) Alec Robertson (Burgher) and M. H. Amit (Malay community).
How he got selected was also an interesting anecdote. During the Presidential campaign in 1989, Malay organizations advocated for many prominent members of the society. Premadasa told them to bring the person who used to visit every Gam Udawa with a fishing rod, referring indeed to Mr. Amit. Amit always dutifully accepted the invitation sent by Premadasa when he was the Prime Minister and visited every part of the country to witness the development programmes carried out through the Gam Udawa celebrations. Being the sharp and observant person he was, Premadasa appointed him as a reward for his dedication and commitment, and, Amit as usual held this position with dignity and decorum. He used the funds from his centralized budget especially to develop the schools in his area – Kotte. He never misused the powers and privileges accorded to him as a public servant for personal benefit. Mr. Amit is sure to reap the rewards in the hereafter for the services he rendered to the public as well as his subordinates. What he sowed in this world will be reaped there!
I must also hasten add here that even at the time when he departed from this world, Amit never had his own house. He was living in the same old rented house at Rajagiriya where he lived for a very long time. In 1993, when Gamini Dissanayake returned to the fold of UNP, it was proposed that he be appointed to the Parliament through National List. In order to do that someone had to resign and Mr. Amit had no hesitation in doing so not only for the sake of the party but also as one of the closest friends of Mr. Dissanayake. Mr. Amit was promised a house as a reward by the powers that be though he never demanded anything in return. That promise never materialized in his lifetime. Let those who mattered take note of this at least now and make arrangements to provide a house for his widow, in gratitude for his long standing unblemished service for the Party and the country. It is not too late even now.
Coming back to his career, Mr. Amit did not confine himself to his legal profession and public service only. He spent much of his free time to community service. Amit had a long and colourful career as the Deputy President of the All Ceylon Muslim League. He also served as Chairman of Board of Trustees of Wekanda Jummah Mosque (drafted the Constitution of the mosque) and Secretary of Malay Association. As Secretary of the Muslim League, he was very closely associated with Dr. T. B.Jayah, the Muslim political giant of the era and freedom fighter. Amit used his legal acumen to assist Dr. Jayah in drafting a memo in order to present it to the Soulbury Commission on behalf of Muslim political parties. Mr. Amit noted that subsequently "the Muslim League gave a mandate to its Senior Vice President T. B. Jayah to submit the views of Muslim Community when the Soulbury Commission Report came up for discussion in the State Council in 1945. T. B. Jayah said that although the report of the Soulbury Commission was in many ways disadvantageous to the Muslim community, he accepted it in toto, as freedom for the country is more important than the privileges and rights of his community. No less a person than S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike acclaimed the stand taken by T. B. Jayah and Dr. M. C. M. Kaleel of the Muslim League."
By and large, Amit led a serene and pure life. He was a man of peace lived as such for 94 long years. Hailing from the ‘Chuthro’ family in Sumatra Indonesia,he was born in Katukelle, Kandy in 1914, the year in which the World War 1 started. He had his early education at St. Mary’s Nawalapitiya. Took life easy, lived happily and made others happy too. After he lost his wife Razeena whom he married in 1940, Amit married a widow, Razeena’s own cousin Queenie who had 6 small children to feed. In this manner he showed to the world how life should continue after facing a calamity. He looked after them to the best of his ability and guided them with his philosophy of life. Today, by the Grace of God Almighty, all those children are doing very well in life.
Amit also did not entertain any fear for his life or property. For instance, perturbed by the violent incidents during the insurrection in 1971, he drove his Ford Anglia car to the deep South in order to appraise the situation. For more than a week he travelled through the South and although the situation was dangerous with the counter-insurgency activities by the law enforcement authorities to contain the situation. Amit returned home without any problem. After reaching home Amit realized that he has forgotten to close the main door but found to his amazement that nothing has been stolen! I recall another incident during the early 80’s when I and Amit went for the Mahiyangana by election in which Lakshman Seneviratne was elected to Parliament. From there we went to Akkaraipattu as we heard that trouble was brewing between Tamils and Muslims of the area. On this trip we were also accompanied by Mr. M. L. M. Aboosally and Mr. Uduma Lebbe. Near the Akkaraipattu Mosque the police opened fire on us mistaking us for terrorists. As instructed by Mr. Amit, we quickly jumped off the jeep and took cover in a deep drain by the side of the road while bullets flew over our heads. In that dire situation when panic surrounded us, the quick thinking of Mr. Amit made us live another day. Later on he told us that it was the practice during the 2nd World War people use to take refuge in drains in order to avoid the bombs dropped by Japanese.
Mr. Amit’s demise is a very personal loss to me as well I have retained countless nostalgic memories, having associated with him for almost 50 years. He was my mentor, guide and special friend. By the Grace of the Almighty, he made me see the world, literally. After leaving school I was attached to the Muslim League and spent much of my time there doing voluntary services. Amit, like a father advised me that this is well and truly good but is not sufficient to come up in life for which I needed to have a profession. He took me to his cousin T. A. M. Dain in the Travel Department of James Finlays/BOAC, who recruited me. In the following year, I found myself in a BOAC Viscount flight with my newly wedded wife on the way to Europe, which happened to be only the beginning of a countless number of journeys to all corners of the globe in a career that has spanned more than four decades.
My gratitude is always to him and I pray that may God Almighty grant him the highest felicity in Jennathul Firdouse – Ameen!
(The writer, Presidential Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs & Media Ombudsman.)
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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