There were many sides to Dr. A.M.M. Sahabdeen’s career as a civil servant, for he held many prestigious Government appointments over a span of nearly 30 years. Dr. Sahabdeen’s vision of educating the underprivileged resulted in the setting up of the A.M.M. Sahabdeen Trust Foundation, where numerous scholarships were offered to underprivileged students, as well as for postgraduate research studies.
I recall my first meeting with Dr. Sahabdeen in 1978 at the NSB Head Office in Kollupitiya. He was there to attend the monthly meeting of the Board of Directors.
As a staff member I greeted him; and he greeted me back, which left a deep impression on me. It reflected his humility.
After my retirement from the bank in 2005, I joined the Sahabdeen Trust Foundation.I found Dr. Sahabdeen to be a person of gentle, calm outlook and deep intellect.
February 21 of every year is an unforgettable and memorable day for all Sahabdeens’, both in Sri Lanka and overseas. It marks the day, in 2017, when all activities came to a standstill upon the hearing of his passing away.
Dr. Sahabdeen was born to a middle-class family in the suburbs of Gampola, as the eldest of 11siblings. He maintained an excellent record throughout his schooling career. He graduated with an Honours Degree in Philosophy from the University of Ceylon. His adult life began at the age of 25, firstly in the Ceylon Civil Service administration, where he had an exemplary and prestigious career.
Simultaneously, he maintained a deep interest in Philosophy and obtained a Doctorate in it from the University of Peradeniya in 1985. The Sufi Doctrine in Tamil Literature was the subject of his doctoral thesis.
There were many sides to Dr. Sahabdeen’s career as a civil servant, for he held many prestigious Government appointments nearly 30 years. He brought his experience and knowledge into many Presidential Commissions such as those of taxation, banking, industrialisation, and the Delimitation Commission.
He also served the community’s interests in many ways, being the Chairman of the Muslim Law Amendments Commission, as a secretary involved in the royal commission on Broadcasting in his early days. Dr. Sahabdeen’s vision of educating the underprivileged resulted in the setting up of the A.M.M. Sahabdeen Trust Foundation, where numerous scholarships were offered to underprivileged students, as well as for postgraduate research studies.
The setting up of Pahamune House at Katupotha Road, Pahamune facilitated a residential study program for external graduate students of Peradeniya University, Kandy, including funding to pursue higher studies. Sahabdeen awards National and International, was a well-respected awards scheme for people who have excelled in different areas in the SAARC Region. Dr. Weeramantry, Dr. Yunus, and Sir Arthur C. Clarke were some of the recipients of the award.
Dr. Sahabdeen’s forward thinking and objectives, which he realised through the establishment of the Sahabdeen Trust Foundation and the setting up of the Pahamune House Rehabilitation Centre in the aftermath of 2004 Tsunami, gave him utmost satisfaction and joy. He and his family were the custodians of over 250 orphaned schoolchildren.
Pahamune House continues to support over 30 children who are now in the centre, attending the National school for their studies. Over 9,000 grants and financial assistance have been given through the foundation as of today. Over 100 students, residential and visiting attend classes in various vocational studies at the Pahamune Vocational Training Institute (PVTI) setup at Pahamune campus, registered with Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) Ministry of Education as a training institute.
During the latter part of his years, Dr. Sahabdeen spent much of his time in philanthropic and spiritual work. He has authored three books: ‘The Sufi Doctrine in Tamil Literature’, ‘The Circle of Life’ and ‘Iraivanum Pirapanjamum’. It is fortunate, to associate myself with this great personality in his work and on matters related to life in general.
After the demise of his father, Rizvan Sahabdeen succeeded as the Chairman of the Sahabdeen Trust Foundation, Sifani Jewellers and the group of companies, thus the family legacy passed on him.
Rizan Marikkar, Secretary Sahabdeen Trust Foundation