M.M Mustapha-Nintavur Sri Lanka

M.M.Mustapha

Deputy Minister of Justice

 1924 – 2000

AL Hadj M.M.Mustapha was born on the 10^th of July 1924 in Nintavur to an influential parent Mr.Meerallebai Podi Vanniyar and Mrs. Meera Umma.

Meerallebai Podi Vanniyar hails from prominent wealthy and educated families of Nintavur and Sammanthurai. The post of Vanniyar then was next in importance to the Provincial Government Agent.

His first wife is from Samanthurai, and after her death he married Meera Umma of Nintavur and had two sons, the eldest is Mohamed Ali who was an inspector of Education and the second son is Mustapha and this biography is to perpetuate the memory of Mustapha.

Mustapha received his elementary education in Nintavur, then entered Batticaloa Methodist Central College and subsequently obtained a first class pass in the London Matriculation Examination. He entered the Sri Lanka Law College and passed out as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court with distinction. He followed it up by passing the Inter-Law Exam of the London University.

Mustapha’s profound interest in Law and politics shaped the village of Nintavur for over five decades, beginning from 1952 to his demise in 2000, he was undisputedly the leader of Nintavur people.

As a student of Law and politics he was keenly following the developments in the Batticaloa district, gathered interests in the political ideology of Gate Mudliyar M.S Karriaper who was then the Member of Parliament for Pottuvil pattu, a very respected and knowledgeable leader hailing from Kalmunaikudy. This association led to the matrimony of M.S Karriaper’s eldest daughter Umu Zaheeda to Mustapha in 1952, culminating to the official entry and recognition into Eastern province political stage.

Although he lost the very first election he contested against an established and respected senior MP, Mr.Ibrahim lebbe in 1952 by a small majority, it was the making of a man who will guide the destinies of this village Nintavur for the next half a century.

In this biography we talk about his career in Law, Politics, and services to the nation, family life and the indelible mark he has left in the politics of eastern province.

Although he last represented Parliament in 1977, and his demise in the year 2000 Mustapha is remembered for his skillful representation of his constituency and leadership qualities both in and out of Parliament. He is well remembered even now in every part of the Country by the older generation as a man who takes up the cause of the common masses whether they belong to east, west, north or south and irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. We will take you through some of his parliament speeches touching on important contributions he has made in legislation and Economic wellbeing and interracial amity amongst all communities.

Mustapha was steadfast in his belief that all communities should live with dignity and equal rights in an undivided Country.

His passing away on the 2^nd of October 2000, is believed to be a big vacuum that is yet to be filled or will ever filled in the future, such was his domination of the politics and presence in the Parliament representing  Eastern province.

This biography is dedicated to the, family members of Mustapha, the people of Nintavur whom he loved till he closed his eyes, and in memory of a true son of this Country who was committed to the economic and social development over the period.

Mustapha has made a lasting impression on the other communities as well and this is amply demonstrated with his close association with leaders of the Country, like Dudley Senanayake, J.R Jayawardena, R Premadasa, SJV Selvanayagam, Amirthaligam, Badiudin Mahmud, Colvin R De Silva, N.M Perera and Sir Razik Fareed some of the most prominent personalities of this Country.

Our thanks……………..