Al Haj. Mohamed Hussain Amit: Gentleman with a big heart
My brother was a respected man in the community, with a big heart. His acts of kindness were very special. It was even more amazing as he did not tell anyone about it.
Hussain, I will never forget the day, when just you and I went along to watch the Play Pinnochio. I was about seven years old. I asked my brother why is Pinnochio’s nose growing longer and he replied “one should not lie.” He bought me dinner and ice cream too. That was a wonderful night which to date I shall never forget and took pride in sharing this memory with my children and my dear grandchildren too.
Most nights, especially during the holy month of Ramadan residing then at Avondale Road, Maradana, Hussain would send a loud whistle and out would come all his friends to the street to play cricket - nothing short of a full team. They played as though they owned the street. It was a wonderful feeling as we knew the entire street. It was great to meet most of them at his daughter’s wedding.
Gardening was one of his many passions. In my early teens I would join him in the garden and took great pleasure in doing so. We virtually took great pride in competing with our garden beds.
Hussain was always considered the stronger personality. His true love was very evident when my older brother Hasset got married. He could hardly contain his emotions. Unlike my older brother, he was street-smart. Always was the friendly one with the neighbours and I would follow him. Only to my mum’s and my older brother’s surprise, when they saw him talk to a guy who was supposed to be the Macho Man of the Town. Mummy was quite upset as he had crossed his boundaries and said to him “really”, my brother was quite cool about it. He just replied it helps to have such company as well.
He lived his life based on principles. The right was right and wrong was wrong. He was the essence of compassion. A simple man with simple values and stood by strong religious values instilled by our loving parents who shaped and moulded him to become the man he became. He was a role model; he set the standards where every son should be to his family.
Most days he would visit mummy after work, have dinner and walk back to his residence. He would fit her in whenever he could. Because that is what a real man does. Even when he visited me after my niece’s wedding in Melbourne, he insisted on taking my boys to the local supermarket, only to his dismay it was a disaster.
I could go on with many more episodes of his generosity.
Hussain was the type of man, many would want to be. He had presence, integrity and character with zero tolerance for bullying and abuse. He was authentic, what you see was what you got, very simple. Many would walk to his door, as they did with my father and mother, and he was always there to lend a helping hand. He showed them tenderness, loyalty and courage.
That was our respected brother Ahaj Mohamed Hussain Amit; dearly beloved son of Marhoom Mohamed Harris Amit and Marhooma Noorun Nahar Amit and beloved brother of Marhoom Mohamed Hamid Amit, Haajiani Fatima, Haajiani Ruwaiza, Haajiani Ayesha, Haajiani Munira, Marhooma Shirazi, Zeenat and Marhoom Mohamed Jiffry.
Hussain had qualities that one would only write about. But to see him as a loving father, was something else. He was a dedicated husband to Haajiani Fawzia, an adorable father to Ahmed and Minnah, a sincere father-in-law to Rizvi and Mariam and a kind grandfather to the love of his life, his amazing grandchildren, Alisha, Aadil and Aamilah.
Nothing was good enough for his children; no corners were cut, and he gave them the best because he was trying to teach them how one should be treated, no matter who.
I thank the life of a man I am so proud to call my brother. The unique, the intense, the extraordinary, the irreplaceable Hussain whose sincerity, internal and external, will never be extinguished from our minds and hearts. Hussain to many was one in a million, to the Amit Family, you, and Hasset along with mummy’s guidance, to bring all of us up, with so much strength, love, affection and direction, we say Alhamdulillah.
I take this opportunity to thank all friends and relations who rallied round the family and helped in innumerable ways concerning the Janaza arrangements.
May Almighty Allah (SWT), Prophet Muhammed (SAW) forgive you for your sins, bless your soul with eternal peace, may your Kabr be bright and wide and may Sirathul Musthaqeen be an easy pass and may Almighty Allah grant you the best place in Jannathul Firdouse Aameen.
Till we meet again Inna Lillahi Wa Inna ilaihi Rajioon.
The Amit Family- Zeenat Amit
Sydney, Australia
I.E.G. Perera: A wonderful leader
It is with a heavy heart that I pen this tribute to Ileperumage Earnest Granville Perera, popularly known as IEG who passed away on August 11, 2021 after courageously battling a terminal illness. My association with him goes back to 1958 when both of us joined the Port (Cargo) Corporation (superseded by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority - SLPA) – he, of course, as a liaison officer on secondment from the Public Service and with over a decade of experience in office procedure and administration whereas I was a raw recruit, direct from the school.
Since the very first day, I have developed a liking to him for his gentlemanly demeanour which later grew into a friendship that nurtured and blossomed over the years.
IEG, soon after he accepted permanent employment in the Port in 1963, got elevated to the executive rank and was posted as a superintendent (Control Room). Having proven his capabilities and potential to shoulder increased responsibility, IEG rose rapidly up the ladder. In the early 1980s, on being promoted to Executive Grade I, he was appointed Resident Manager, Galle Port. It is in this posting that his real colours came to light. The Galle Port which had been running at a loss since nationalisation was able to make profits for the first time under his stewardship. Being a person who liked to socialise, IEG had cultivated an array of friends in Galle, mostly senior public servants in the regional administration, police and service personnel. He would quite often invite them home for a drink and chat. In the late 1980s, when the post of Administrative Secretary and Secretary to the Board fell vacant the then Chairman, the late Wimal Amarasekera was looking for a trustworthy officer to be appointed to the post and IEG was the obvious choice. Then again I had the good fortune to work with him as one of his assistants handling publicity and public relations.
Upon reaching the compulsory age of retirement, IEG retired in September 1990. He was lucky; one of his entrepreneur friends offered him a position as the General Manager in his industry in Boralesgamuwa which he gladly accepted. One of the most amazing things that he did whilst in the service of this industry was the formation of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Retired Staff Officers’ Association. He convened a meeting on February 14, 1995 which was attended by 25 retired port executives. At that meeting, IEG was elected Secretary of the new organisation. Initially, all meetings of the Committee of Management were held at his residence at which his wife Lalitha played the role of a real host as demanded by his camaraderie.
After holding office for 16 long years and having built up the Association into a formidable organisation with a membership of around 250 and well-recognised and accredited by those in authority, IEG stepped down in 2011 owing to failing health. However, he continued to serve the Association as the driving force of the Association till he got bedridden a year ago.
Despite his busy work schedule, IEG fulfilled his responsibilities to the family and managed domestic affairs commendably supporting Lalitha and bringing up their two sons to climb up the ladder of life and committed his whole life for their success and helped them immensely in their achievements.
Having lived 90 plus years and having witnessed all changes in political, economical and social spheres in the country, his was a life full of achievements. His passing away is a great loss to his family, relatives and friends and so is to the SLPA Retired Staff Officers’ Association which was his brainchild. I wish and invoke blessings on this wonderful human being to attend the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana in the shortest possible time.
H. D. Gunaratne
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