The Tale of Two Stamps

Stamps, often regarded as miniature canvases, capture significant historical moments, notable figures, and  and mark anniversaries. Two such stamps tell compelling stories: the commemorative stamp of Ahmed Orabi Pasha issued by Sri Lanka in 1983 and the stamp marking 66 years of Uninterrupted Friendship between Egypt and Sri Lanka, issued on 24th October, 2023.

Orabi Pasha Commemorative Stamp (1983)

On 10th January 1883, Ahmed Orabi Pasha, a famous Egyptian nationalist and Army leader exiled to Ceylon, and during that time, he got married to a Sri Lankan lady and had children. The exiles established good relationships with the Ceylonese, particularly with the Muslims.

This association influenced the language and dress of the Muslims who began to wear Egyptian trousers and the fez (Turboush), imitating the Pashas. During his 19 years of exile, Orabi Pasha inspired the Ceylonese nationalists and influenced the Muslim community. He guided them and they, with the leading members of the community such as Siddi Lebbe, Wapiche Marikar, and Careemjee Jefferjee, founded Zahira College in 1892 in honour of Orabi Pasha who was chosen as the first Honorary Chairman of the School.

In 1983, R. Premadasa, the Prime Minister at that time, approved some recommendations of the “All Ceylon Muslim League” – the purchase of the Orabi Pasha House in Kandy by the Egyptian Embassy for its ransformation into a permanent Museum, the naming of part of Maradana Road as Orabi Pasha Street, and in return the naming of a road in Cairo as Sri Lanka Street; and the issuing of a commemorative stamp for Orabi Pasha (the Egyptian Government also decided to do the same). On 13, November 1983, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunication issued a postage stamp in the denomination of .50 cents to mark the Orabi Pasha Year in Sri Lanka.

66 Years of Uninterrupted Friendship between Egypt and Sri Lanka On 24th October 2023, Egypt and Sri Lanka marked 66 years of Uninterrupted Friendship with a special commemorative stamp. This stamp symbolizes the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two nations, which have been shared and to be shared in the future in areas like mutual respect, historical experiences, and a commitment to collaboration in various fields, including trade, culture, and diplomacy.

The stamp features symbols representing both countries, reflecting their unique identities and shared values. It included iconic landmarks like the Great Sphinx and Pyramid of Khfare and Sri Lanka’s Jethavana Stupa.

The stamps commemorating Orabi Pasha and the 66 years of Uninterrupted Friendship between Egypt and Sri Lanka encapsulate more than just historical events; they represent national pride, resilience, and international friendship. Through these small yet powerful pieces of postage, we are reminded of the enduring impact of historical figures like Orabi Pasha and the importance of fostering strong international bonds