Al-Haj Abdul Rahaman Mohamed Thassim, OBE (26 September 1909 – 1963) was a Ceylonese businessman, philanthropist, politician and the longest serving mayor of Galle.[1][2]
A. R. M. Thassim | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Galle | |
| In office 1950–1951 | |
| Preceded by | W. T. Wijekulasooriya |
| Succeeded by | W. T. Wijekulasooriya |
| In office 1954–1962 | |
| Preceded by | W. T. Wijekulasooriya |
| Succeeded by | W. D. S. Abeygoonawardena |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Abdul Rahaman Mohamed Thassim 26 September 1909 Katugoda, Galle, Ceylon |
| Died | 1963 (age 54 years) Galle, Ceylon |
| Spouse | Mariam Beebi |
| Alma mater | St. Aloysius' College, Galle |
| Occupation | business owner |
Thassim was born on 26 September 1909 in Katugoda, Galle, Ceylon. He was the youngest in a family of eight, with four older brothers: A. R. Mohamed, A. R. Abdul Hameed, A. R. Abdul Careem, and A. R. M. Haniffa; and three older sisters, Fathima Umma, Ravia Umma and Saudia Umma.[1] He attended St. Aloysius' College, Galle.[3]
In the early 1930s Thassim established A. R. Abdul Hameed & Bros, which operated a coconut and rubber mill in Galle. The company grew to become one of the largest rubber and coconut oil producers in the country, and was commonly known as 'Nugaduwa Mills'.[2] The company owned a number of rubber and coconut plantations and manufactured a range of products, including textiles, confectionery, plastics and printing machinery.[4] The family company in now known as Hameed Brothers and is managed by Thassim's nephew's son, Tufail.[5]
In 1947 Thassim was elected to the Galle Municipal Council and served as mayor of Galle Council from 1950 to 1951 and from 1954 to 1962.[1][6] In 1952 he funded the establishment of the Thassim Chest Clinic, the first tuberculosis centre built outside of Colombo.[2][7][8]
In the 1951 New Year Honours he was made a Member of the British Empire (Civil Division) for his public services to Galle[9] and in the 1955 Birthday Honours he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) for his ongoing services to Galle.[10]
Thassim died in 1963, at the age of 54 years.[1]
His nephew, A. H. M. Anver, the son of Thassim’s older brother, A. R. Abdul Hameed, also served as mayor of Galle, between 1983 and 1988.[1][6]
A. R. M. Thassim College, a primary school in Katugoda, is named after him.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Fahim, Thimsy (3 January 2010). "City father to Galle and philanthropist to the nation". Sunday Times. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ a b c Roberts, Norah (1993). Galle as Quiet as Asleep. p. 37. ISBN 9789559557906.
- ^ The Aloysian, 1915-1990: Diamond Jubilee Souvenir. St. Aloysius' College. 1990. p. 93.
- ^ "Foreign Commerce Weekly". Vol. 65. U.S. Department of Commerce. 2 January 1961. p. 10.
- ^ "Our Story". Hameed Brothers. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Galle Municipal Council History". Galle Municipal Council. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ Ceylon Year Book. Department of Census and Statistics. 1951. p. 60.
- ^ "Tomorrow is the 23 rd death anniversary of Dr. J. H. F. Jayasuriya : Founder of the CNAPT". The Daily News. 10 August 2002. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ Ceylon :"No. 39107". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1950. p. 44.
- ^ Ceylon :"No. 40500". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 June 1955. p. 3306.