The Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA), the oldest Malay institution in the country celebrated its Centenary Anniversary on 22 January 2022. The inauguration of the SLMA Centenary Commemoration kicked off at the Padang Grounds of the Colombo Malay Cricket Club in Slave Island, Colombo. A distinguished gathering including the Private Secretary to the Minister of Mass Media and Posts Mr Oshadie Alahapperuma, the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka H.E Dewi Gustina Tobing, the Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka H.E Tan Yang Thai, the President of the Sri Lanka Malay Association Mr Rilwan Lantra, the Club Captain of the Colombo Malay Cricket Club Mr Rinaldin Rahaman, members of the SLMA and CMCC, and members of affiliated associations were present at the event.
“These Four Walls” a theme song to mark the centenary celebrations of the SLMA, produced and directed by Azlan Sheriffdeen with lyrics by Suhard Amit was released at the occasion. The revamped website of the Sri Lanka Malay Association was also launched to coincide with the inauguration of the centenary commemoration.
Established on 22January 1922, with a gathering of Malays from all parts of the Island, assembled at the Wekande Hall in Slave Island with the sole purpose of forming a body to address the welfare of their community. The institution a non-political body deemed it important to address the social, welfare, educational and protect the cultural values of its 15,000 populaces at that time.
The festivities which included Malay song and dance, also saw the felicitation of Dr Romola Rasool, Dr Zameer Careem and Prof B.A. Hussainmiya in recognition of the service rendered towards preserving the Malay language and heritage through research and academic prowess.
The advent of the Malays could be traced back to the 6th-7th Century AD and have been a part of the national fabric to date. A vibrant community its culture has imbued well with other cultures be it in cuisine, dress, language, music, and other social imperatives, making a mark in the lifestyle of Sri Lankans. The Malay’s have contributed much to the development of the nation through the Administrative service, the plantation and estate sector, academia, corporate governance, sports, the arts and media, the Tri Forces, Police, the Fire Brigade and through many other professional fields.
Over the past century the functions of the SLMA, have been driven by five Committees namely, Social Services; Literary & Cultural Affairs; Religious Affairs; Women’s Affairs; and Research, Documentation Studies & Communication, all working towards a common vision of peaceful coexistence and unity. The services not only benefit the Malay community but its scope through time has widened to serve all communities. In 1953, the SLMA established the SLMA Rupee Fund incorporated by an Act of Parliament. The SLMA Rupee Fund, which was solely dedicated towards social service purposes for the less privileged homes of the Slave Island area at the time of incorporation, now serves a wider populace.
