He used his writings to promote peace and harmony

With the peaceful demise of “Meead Sir”, Sri Lanka, particularly the Sabaragamuwa Province has lost another patriotic citizen, gem of a scholar of Tamil and English literature, talented teacher, man of versatility, popular poet of English and Tamil and above all, a devout Muslim who effectively used his writings and teachings to promote peace and harmony via unity in diversity in this beloved isle.

In one of his poems he wrote: Oh! Thinking human! What's the colour of your blood? Is there any other colour than red In your blood?

Then why do you boast of your race Or ethnic superiority?

That thinking is absurd and irrational

Don't you realise this truth Proved by modern scientists? Why do you call others as those of Low birth and caste

Since blood is red for all?

Just think for a moment Liberating yourself from Irrational ideas of discrimination Between a man and another man All human beings are one race Sans minor differences of caste and birth

So let's all call ourselves as brothers And sisters of one mother.

And lead a life of peace

And harmony

He used the power of his writings to promote discipline and morality to build a productive younger generation in this beloved nation.

He had written many books in Tamil and English, of which his book on “The Art, Cultural and Literary Traditions of the Muslims of the Sabaragamuwa Province” is a rare gem.

M.Y.M. Meeadhu, was born on June 24, 1940 in Hemmathagama, Mawanella to a respectable family in the beautiful village of Dumbuluwawa that is naturally landscaped with a pond (close to his home) and a range of mountains. His parents were Mr & Mrs Yousuf to whom he was devoted. Meeadhu showed his brilliance in poetry when he was a child and one of his early poems was published in the Paalar Kalakam kids club of the Thinakaran in 1953. He shone in the classroom, passing his public examinations with flying colours and subsequently got a teaching post at Dippitiya M.M.V in 1959.

A product of the Government Teachers’ Training College of Attalachenai, he successfully completed his teacher training and taught in different areas of the country showing a keen interest in various subjects ranging from English, Tamil, Political Science to History and other related subjects. He learnt four languages - Sinhalese, Tamil, English and Arabic. Teaching was his passion and he blended his lessons with literature. He retired in 1991 after 33 years of service, having taught at his alma mater Al Azhar M.M.V, Hemmathagama and his village school Dumbuluwawa Arafa Muslim M.V. among many other schools.

In 1992 he took wing to the Maldives to teach English. After his retirement, he rendered his services as an English Lecturer for the University of Peradeniya, where he had completed his degree in 1970. He started to contribute both in English and Tamil to national newspapers, local and international magazines and his work has been published in Kalaimalar, Vasamilla Malarizu, and Educational Digest. His articles have appeared, in the Daily News, Sunday Observer, The Island, Thinakaran, Veerakesari etc.

Although Meeadhu was well versed in different genres of English and Tamil literature such as drama, short stories, literary reviews, folk tales etc, it is his poetry he is known for. He has written over 200 poems in Tamil and around 150 poems in English. A rare accolade was when he was selected as one of the best poets in a competition organized by a literary club in USA.

In addition, he was a blogger who has posted a number of literary, historical and religious articles in his blog. There are also 12 beautiful English poems for children on his blog http://mmeeadhu.blogspot. com/

He helped found a library in his village - the Al Falah library to widen the knowledge of the children, youth and others of this area.

He was also chief trustee of the Dumbuwawa Jummah Masjid for many years and founder member of many welfare associations including the Muslim Pensioners’ Forum. His pure intention was to help people of all walks of life when they needed support.

For his great contributions in the field of language and literature, Meeadu was awarded the title of Badru Uloom by the Ministry of Muslim Cultural Affairs in 1993. In 1997 he was felicitated with the title of Illakiya Shemmal by the (Malayaka Kalacchara Shangam) Hill Country Literary Association. Undoubtedly, a red-letter day was in 2004 when he received the award of Kala Poosanam by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

He is survived by his beloved wife and six children.

May Almighty Allah give him Jennathul Firdaws.

N.U. Abdul Razzak Udayar