Commemorative Stamp for Gate Mudaliyar M.S. Kariapper

Well known yester year’s politician Mahmud Shamudeen Kariapper , popularly known as Gate Mudaliyar M.S. Kariapper, has been a legend who has contributed a great deal in uplifting the conditions of people in the East. Hailing from a leading Muslim family from the Eastern Provin­ce he entered politics to serve the people and the country.

A leading intellectual from the east once said that “the east is yet to produce a national politician of Kariappar’e stature and it is time that the people in the area do some research into his contribution and make them available to the country . He always believed in communal harmony , territorial integrity and fiercely opposed the division of the country.

He was a prime mover of many development projects in the east which brought immense benefits to the people . Explaining Kariappar’s role in the development of the east in an article in 2007 late Barrister A.L.M. Hashim, President of the All Ceylon Muslim League, who had been an eyewitness and keen observer of developments in the east since independence, said Gal Oya Irrigation scheme was the brainchild of Mudaliyar Kariapper.

He added that “ The Eastern Province Muslims were known throughout the Island as the best cultivators. However, they suffered from lack of regulated water supply. Gal Oya Development was the dream of M.S. Kariapper. On June 11, 1951, the late D.S. Senanayake, the then Prime Minister, proceeded to Amparai to take over the Gal Oya Reservoir after the project was completed. Mr. Kariapper stated in his report to the Muslim League, “We walked the whole length of the bund. The Prime Minister thanked the American contractors for a job satisfactorily completed, then turning to me, he said, “Gate Mudaliyar, have I not, this day, fulfilled your dream and request to create the Gal Oya Reservoir?”

“Kariapper replied “Yes Sir, I thank you from the bottom of my heart”
“The Prime Minister said “I am going to do something which I did not promise you.”

“Kariapper: “What is it, sir?”

“Prime Minister: “I am going to instruct that a statue of yours be erected at this place, so that posterity may remember your dream which had become a tangible reality to benefit your people”
“Kariapper: “Are you angry with me, sir?”

“Prime Minister: “I am amazed and amused at your reaction. Why did you ask me that question?”

“Kariapper: “Sir I am grateful for your well-intentioned gesture, but from the moment my statue stands on the Gal Oya Reservoir Bund, my family and I will be declared renegades to the Islamic faith, I will be excommunicated, because statues are contrary to Islamic teachings and practices. Sir, take it from me that if you die and I live, I will see to it that a statue of yours stands on this bund. My motion to the District Agricultural Committee of April 28, 1941, presided over by you, resolved that the proposed Gal Oya Reservation should be named “Senanayake Samudra,” which you rejected off-hand. This will be implemented, using all my political skill in the art of persuasion”
Such was the role of M.S. Kariappar.

Ever since he was offered the post of Vanniah Mudaliyar in 1920 it was the case of attempting to emancipate the economic hardships experienced by the distressed and downtrodden people. When it comes to helping he helped members of all communities.For example he assisted the Sinhalese people of Panama village, who did not possess a piece of land by persuading the government to purchase Miss Sortain’s land and apportion small allotments to the needy Sinhalese villagers. This, indeed, was a beneficial act by Kariappar and as a result all the communities prospered well. He was also responsible for bringing large extent of land under the ownership of Hindu Temples.

He entered politics, elected to parliament and served the country in many capacities. In his drive to help the downtrodden he even donated his own lands to build several projects.

Releasing a commemorative stamp is certainly a fitting tribute to Kariapper who had left behind his footprints in the sands of time for the younger generation to emulate him.

As pointed out by his colleague A.L.Abdul Azeez it is time that intensive research is undertaken to better understand his contributions to a society and region where leadership with a strategic vision is now history. He passed away in April 1989.