LAUNCHING OF THE MALAY RESOURCE CENTRE BY HIS EXCELLENCY ROSLI ISMAIL, HIGH COMMISSIONER OF MALAYSIA

 COLOMBO, August 16, 2008 – His Excellency Rosli Ismail, the High Commissioner of Malaysia officially launched the “Malay Resource Centre”  at the Malay Padang Complex of the Colombo Malay Cricket Club in Colombo. The event was held at the sidelines of the ‘Malay Rally 2008’ jointly organized by Sri Lanka Malay Association and the Colombo Malay Cricket.

The idea for the Sri Lanka Malays to have their own resource centre was mooted by His Excellency Rosli Ismail during a meeting between the officials from the High Commission of Malaysia with the Sri Lanka Malay community last year. The main objectives of the resource are as follows:    

• To provide access to Malay community in Sri Lanka to avail the facilities of the resource centre such as library, audio video facilities etc;

• To revive the Sri Lanka Malays arts, culture, and heritage;

• To provide avenue for sustainable economic development of the Malay community;

• To conduct workshops and training for the Sri Lanka Malay youths to enhance their understanding on the Malay language, culture, tradition and heritage; and

• To provide avenue for the Malay community to understand Malaysia’s history, arts, culture and heritage based on the resources and materials provided by the Government of Malaysia

The Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMCC) was inaugurated in 1872 and the Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA) founded in 1922. Both are two of Sri Lanka's premier Malay organizations. The Malay Padang Complex is a historical place of gathering of great Malay leaders including Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s fourt Prime Minister and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, the current Chief Minister of the State of Malacca.  

High Commission of Malaysia

Colombo

19 August 2008