COLOMBO : The 86th birth anniversary of M S M Salley today the 9th January . Salley was a social worker and a soccer lover since his youth. He began his life as a social service worker and honorary teacher in the night school for the poor and the needy, organized by the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa at Sucharita.
Having received his education at Zahira College Colombo, he used to participate in protest marches and also served in the St John’ Ambulance Service. He was commended for his service during the death of S W R D Bandaranaike.
During the time of Dudley Senanayake’s Government, he took part in the cost of living protest march along with Bandaranaike in 1957 and was remanded for 14 days.
He worked in the political field with the Bandaranaike dynasty. He was one person who went against the party decision to get out of the coalition in 1977. He was the member of the Communist Party and a member of the inner powerful central committee of the party.
I know of no man who has more completely dedicated his time, talents, and interests to fellow countrymen like late Mr. M.S.M. Salley, popularly known as “Communist Salley” whose 86th birthday falls on the 9th January. He had been a sterling example of love for his fellowmen who raised his voice against social inequality and change social and political conditions cannot be overrated. He was a devout Sufi Muslim. His faith was such he had been in the forefront to shape the Muslim society to live harmoniously as Sri Lankans without giving into bigotry, intolerance and racism. Salley often travelled to the Soviet Union and German Democratic Republic.
Let me share a couple nuggets from Salley’s life. He was a product of Zahira College, Colombo. In addition to his social work Salley was a soccer lover since his youth. He was the Guest of Honour at the Qualifying round of the World Cup Tournament between Germany and Wales played in Dresden in 1969. He was known in football circles as Mr. Ranpandu for conducting RANPANDU GOLD CUP SOCCER CARNIVAL in 1972 He was also the chairman of the Kamkarupura (Workers’ Town), Samagipura (Unity Town) and Sirimapura, which was a project to honour the late Sirima Bandaranaike. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the then Justice Minister in 1970.
He served as a member on the Board of Directors from 1970-1977 in one of the biggest multi-purpose cooperative societies and was appointed by the then Trade, Food and Cooperatives Minister. During that time the Cooperative Society ran without any bank loans and with huge profits. Salley helped the Hameed Al Husseinie School and the Fathima Girls’ School by donating new buildings. He also helped Al-Nassar Maha Vidyalaya and D S Senanayake College he was one of the pillars of D.S.Senanayake College He met Muslim religious leaders around the world. He was an invitee at the World Muslim Unity Conference held in Washington in 1997, under the spiritual guidance of Sheikh Nazim Haqqani, the Supreme Leader of the Naqshabandi Thariqa in the world.
During the visit Salley met and appealed to Sheikh Nazim to pray for Sri Lanka. He held office in several Muslim organizations in Sri Lanka and was actively involved with the community. He is one of the architects who were responsible for the formation of the National Council of the YMMA of Sri Lanka. It would be no exaggeration to state that it was the single-mindedness of his purpose coupled with his organizational abilities that saw the birth of this council. His pioneering zeal has borne fruit to the extent that now there are other organizations with similar aim and ideas affiliated to this council..Salley served in various capacities of the council in uplifting the organization to service the Muslim community. He was also an architect in forming the Islamic Socialist Front.
In the realm of sports Salley served as follows: Sri Lanka Gymnastic Association President, Sri Lanka Football Association Council Member, Colombo Football League General Secretary and Colombo Football League Treasurer. During his time in office he invited several foreign teams to Sri Lanka and in appreciation of his services he was invited to the Soviet Union in 1963 and 1969.
Salley worked day and night for the poor people and had many sleepless nights on their behalf. A man who did not believe in caste, creed or race, Salley’s advice to his children was to respect every human being. ‘Country before self’ was his motto-Well-wisher
