Rauff Hakeem Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Hon.
Rauff Hakeem
Native Name:Sinhala; Sinhalese: රවුෆ් හකීම්
Tamil: ரவூப் ஹக்கீம்
Honorific-Suffix:MP
President1:Maithripala Sirisena
Primeminister1:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Term Start1:12 January 2015
Term End1:3 June 2019
Office2:Minister of Justice
President2:Mahinda Rajapaksa
Primeminister2:D. M. Jayaratne
Term Start2:22 November 2010
Term End2:28 December 2014
Predecessor2:Athauda Seneviratne
Successor2:Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe
Office3:Minister of Posts and Telecommunication
President3:Mahinda Rajapaksa
Primeminister3:D. M. Jayaratne
Term Start3:28 January 2007
Term End3:16 December 2007
Office4:Minister of Ports Development and Shipping
President4:Chandrika Kumaratunga
Primeminister4:Ranil Wickremesinghe
Term Start4:December 2001
Term End4:April 2004
Predecessor4:Mahinda Rajapaksa
Successor4:Mangala Samaraweera
Office5:Minister of Internal and International Trade Commerce, Muslim Religious Affairs and Shipping Development
President5:Chandrika Kumaratunga
Primeminister5:Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Term Start5:19 October 2000
Term End5:20 June 2001
Office6:Deputy Chairman of Committees of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
Term Start6:25 August 1994
Term End6:18 August 2000
Predecessor6:Ariya B. Rekawa
Term Start7:14 September 2000
Term End7:10 October 2000
Successor7:Lalith Dissanayake
Office8:Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
Term Start8:2000
Predecessor8:M. H. M. Ashraff
Constituency Mp9:Kandy District
Parliament9:Sri Lankan
Term Start9:2010
Term Start10:2000
Term End10:2004
Constituency Mp11:Ampara District
Parliament11:Sri Lankan
Term Start11:2004
Term End11:2008
Successor11:A. M. M. Naushad
Constituency Mp12:National List
Parliament12:Sri Lankan
Term Start12:2008
Term End12:2010
Predecessor12:Basheer Segu Dawood
Term Start13:1994
Term End13:2000
Office14:Member of the Eastern Provincial Council for Trincomalee District
Term Start14:2008
Term End14:2008
Successor14:A. U. Razik Fareed
Birth Date:13 April 1960
Birth Place:Nawalapitiya, Ceylon
Party:Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
Alma Mater:Royal College, Colombo, Sri Lanka Law College
Profession:Attorney-at-law

Abdul Rauff Hibbathul Hakeem (born 13 April 1960) is a Sri Lankan politician and current member of parliament, representing the Kandy electorate since 2010. Hakeem is the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), and a member of the United National Front for Good Governance.

Early life and education

Hakeem was born 13 April 1960 in Nawalapitiya in the Kandy District.[1] [2] He was educated at Royal College, Colombo[2] [3] [4] and attended the Sri Lanka Law College, taking oaths as an attorney-at-law.[5] He later gained a LL.M. degree from the University of Colombo.[2]

Political career

Hakeem met M. H. M. Ashraff, founder and leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), whilst working at Faisz Musthapha's chambers.[6]

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress

Hakeem joined the SLMC in 1988.[1] He served as general-secretary of the party from 1992 to 2000 and represented it at the All Party Conference between 1991 and 1993.[5] Prior to the 1994 parliamentary election the SLMC entered into an electoral pact with main opposition People's Alliance (PA).[7]

Parliament

After the election Hakeem was appointed as a PA National List MP in the Sri Lankan Parliament.[8] [9] Following the PA's victory the SLMC joined the new government.[7] Ashraff was appointed Minister of Shipping, Ports and Rehabilitation and two other SLMC MPs became deputy ministers whilst Hakeem became Deputy Chairman of Committees.[7] [10] [11] [12] [13]

By 2000 relations between the SLMC and PA had become strained.[14] Earlier, in 1999, Ashraff had founded the National Unity Alliance (NUA) with the aim of creating a "united Sri Lanka by 2012".[15] [16] Ashraff was killed in a mysterious helicopter crash on 16 September 2000.[17] [18] [19] Hakeem contested the 2000 parliamentary election as one of the NUA's candidates in Kandy District. He was elected and re-entered Parliament.[20] He was appointed Minister of Internal and International Trade Commerce, Muslim Religious Affairs and Shipping Development after the election.[21] [22]

Leader of the SLMC

Following the death of Ashraff in September 2000 Hakeem became the SLMC's "thesiya thalaivar" (national leader) but there was a power struggle between Ashraff's widow Ferial Ashraff and Hakeem for control of the party.[5] [23] In June 2001 President Chandrika Kumaratunga dismissed Hakeem from the cabinet.[24] [25] As a result, Hakeem and most SLMC MPs left the PA.[23] [26] [27] However, Ferial Ashraff remained in the PA as leader of the NUA.[23]

United National Front

In October 2001 the Hakeem led SLMC joined the United National Party dominated United National Front (UNF).[28] Hakeem contested the 2001 parliamentary election as one of the UNF's candidates in Kandy District. He was elected and re-entered Parliament.[29] The UNF defeated the PA at the election after which Hakeem was appointed Minister of Ports Development and Shipping in the UNF government.[30] [31]

Hakeem contested the 2004 parliamentary election as one of the SLMC's candidates in Ampara District. He was elected and re-entered Parliament.[32] He however lost his cabinet position after the UNF was defeated by the newly formed United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

United People's Freedom Alliance

In January 2007 the SLMC joined the UPFA.[33] [34] [35] Hakeem was rewarded by being appointed Minister of Posts and Telecommunication.[36] [37] The SLMC left the UPFA in December 2007.[38] [39] Hakeem resigned from Parliament in April 2008 to contest the provincial council election.[40] He contested the 2008 provincial council election as one of the UNF's candidates in Trincomalee District and was elected to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC).[41] After the UNF failed to win control of the EPC Hakeem resigned in July 2008 and was appointed as UNF National List MP.[42] [43]

United National Front

Hakeem contested the 2010 parliamentary election as one of the UNF's candidates in Kandy District. He was elected and re-entered Parliament.[44]

United People's Freedom Alliance

In November 2010 the SLMC joined UPFA again.[45] [46] Hakeem was rewarded by being appointed Minister of Justice.[47] [48]

2015 presidential election

The SLMC left the UPFA in December 2014 to support common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the presidential election.[49] [50] President Mahinda Rajapaksa dismissed Hakeem from the cabinet.[51] After the election newly elected President Sirisena rewarded Hakeem by appointing him Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage.[52] [53] [54] [55]

United National Front for Good Governance

In July 2015 the SLMC joined with other anti-Rajapaksa parties to form the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) to contest the parliamentary election.[56] [57] [58] Hakeem was one of the UNFGG's candidates in Kandy District at the 2015 parliamentary election. He was elected and re-entered Parliament.[59] [60] His cabinet portfolio was changed to Minister of City Planning and Water Supply after the election.[61] [62] [63]

Kumari Cooray controversy

During the 2001 parliamentary election campaign Kumari Cooray, daughter of politician Mervyn J. Cooray, claimed and then denied that she had been having an affair with Hakeem.[64] In May 2004, during the struggle to fill the Speaker position in Parliament, Cooray appeared on Rupavahini and claimed that Hakeem had ended their relationship and that she was suicidal.[65] [66] Cooray killed herself by setting herself ablaze outside Hakeem's home in Kollupitiya on 6 October 2005.[67] [68] According to the Sunday Times, two months prior to her suicide Cooray had made a complaint at Kollupitiya police station that Hakeem had assaulted her at her home.[69]

Personal life

Hakeem is married to Shanaz (Shahnaz), owner of an ice cream parlour in Colombo.[70] [71] [72]

Electoral history

Election! scope=col
Constituencyscope=col colspan="2"Partyscope=col colspan="2"Alliancescope=colVotesscope=colResult
Elected
Elected
Elected
Elected
Elected
2015 parliamentary[73] Elected
Elected

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Directory of Members: Rauff Hakeem. Parliament of Sri Lanka.
  2. News: Liyanasuriya. Sathya. 'Astute Hakeem will survive to tell the tale'. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 6 March 2014.
  3. News: PA consorts with SLMC. The Island (Sri Lanka). 24 September 2000.
  4. News: Goonarathne. Elmo. Ideals ofashraff and hakeem. Ceylon Today. 27 February 2015.
  5. Book: Peebles. Patrick. Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka. 2015. Rowman & Littlefield. 978-1-4422-5584-5. 167.
  6. Web site: Jeyaraj. D. B. S.. Remembering MHM Ashraff the Legendary Leader of the Muslim Congress on his 15th Death Anniversary. dbsjeyaraj.com. 20 September 2015.
  7. Jeyaraj. D. B. S.. Obituary: A pioneering leader - M.H.M. Ashraff, 1948-2000. Frontline. 30 September 2000. 17. 20.
  8. News: Segudawood and Nijamudeen betrayed Muslim Congress - DUA. Daily News (Sri Lanka). 3 July 2004.
  9. News: Jeyaraj. D. B. S.. The leadership crisis in the Muslim congress. The Sunday Leader. 9 February 2003.
  10. News: Senior Sri Lankan Minister killed in helicopter crash. 16 September 2000. TamilNet.
  11. The New Cabinet. Tamil Times. 15 August 1994. XIII. 8. 4. 0266-4488.
  12. News: Samad. Ashraff A.. Remembering a Minister, poet and inspiring Muslim leader. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 16 September 2012.
  13. Web site: Deputy Chairman of Committees. Parliament of Sri Lanka.
  14. News: Helicopter crash probe launched. BBC News. 17 September 2000.
  15. News: Peiris. Roshan. Ashraff's mission 2012: unity in diversity. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 19 September 1999.
  16. News: Salman. M. H. M.. Democracy without Opposition and the NUA. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 27 January 2015.
  17. News: Key minister killed in Sri Lanka crash. BBC News. 16 September 2000.
  18. News: Ashraff dies in mystery crash. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 17 September 2000.
  19. Minister Ashraff among 14 killed in helicopter crash. Tamil Times. 15 September 2000. XIX. 9. 4. 0266-4488.
  20. Web site: General Election 2000 Preferences. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100826002922/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/preference2000GE.PDF. 2010-08-26.
  21. Web site: New cabinet sworn in today. Current Affairs. Policy Research and Information Unit, Presidential Secretariat. 19 October 2000. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171946/http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200010/20001019new_cabinet.htm. 3 March 2016.
  22. News: SLMC, EPDP get plum portfolios. TamilNet. 19 October 2000.
  23. News: Farook. Latheef. SLMC: Liability on the Muslim community. Daily FT. 23 December 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043125/http://www.ft.lk/2014/12/23/slmc-liability-on-the-muslim-community/. 24 September 2015.
  24. News: Rauff Hakeem removed from cabinet. TamilNet. 20 June 2001.
  25. News: Subramanian. Nirupama. SLMC may offer issue-based support. https://archive.today/20150209151814/http://www.thehindu.com/2001/06/21/stories/0121000a.htm. dead. 9 February 2015. The Hindu. 21 June 2001.
  26. News: Franklin R.. Satyapalan. SLMC-NUA quit PA coalition. The Island (Sri Lanka). 21 June 2001.
  27. News: Sri Lanka govt. faces collapse as Muslims leave. TamilNet. 20 June 2001.
  28. News: UNP to contest as UNF with elephant symbol. TamilNet. 21 October 2001.
  29. Web site: General Election 2001 Preferences. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115735/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/preference2001GE.pdf. 2015-09-24.
  30. News: New Ministers. Daily News (Sri Lanka). 13 December 2001. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120202034840/http://www.dailynews.lk/2001/12/13/new11.html. 2 February 2012.
  31. News: Wickremesinghe appoints cabinet of 25. TamilNet. 12 December 2001.
  32. Web site: General Election 2004 Preferences. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100304015514/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Preference2004GE.pdf. 2010-03-04.
  33. News: UNP dissidents, SLMC join UPFA government, appointed ministers. 28 January 2007. TamilNet.
  34. News: 18 jumbos cross over. 29 January 2007. Daily News (Sri Lanka). dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225222215/http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/01/29/pol01.asp. 25 February 2012.
  35. News: Crossover today, MoU ends. Chandani Kirinde and Chris Kamalendran. 28 January 2007. The Sunday Times.
  36. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 29 January 2007. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1482/08. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222024439/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2007/pdf/Jan/1482_8/1482_8e.pdf. 22 February 2014.
  37. News: The New Cabinet. The Island (Sri Lanka). 29 January 2007.
  38. News: SLMC resigns from Rajapaksa government. 12 December 2007. TamilNet.
  39. News: Why the SLMC quit the Rajapaska government. 16 December 2007. The Nation (Sri Lanka). 2016-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181819/http://www.nation.lk/2007/12/16/newsfe1.htm. 2016-03-03. dead.
  40. News: Hakeem resigns parliamentary seat to contest EPC election. 2 April 2008. TamilNet.
  41. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PROVINCIAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ACT, No. 2 OF 1988 Eastern Province Provincial Council. 15 May 2008. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1549/17. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195143/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2008/pdf/May/1549_17/1549_17E.pdf. 25 May 2014.
  42. News: Hakim takes oath as UNP national list parliamentarian. TamilNet. 10 July 2008.
  43. News: Nakkawita. Wijitha. de Silva. Lakshmi. Hakeem sworn in as MP. The Island (Sri Lanka). 11 July 2008.
  44. Web site: Parliamentary General Election - 2010 Kandy Preferences. Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100617021646/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/GE2010_preferences/Mahanuwara_pref_GE2010.pdf. 2010-06-17.
  45. News: SLMC officially crosses over to government. TamilNet. 22 November 2010.
  46. News: Bandara. Kelum. SLMC decides to join govt.. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 13 November 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110719131627/http://print.dailymirror.lk/news/front-page-news/27119.html. 19 July 2011.
  47. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 22 November 2010. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1681/2. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222024545/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2010/PDF/Nov/1681_02/1681_02%20%28E%29.pdf. 22 February 2014.
  48. News: New Faced Boost Cabinet as Hopes Rise. 28 November 2010. The Nation (Sri Lanka). 19 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044010/http://www.nation.lk/2010/11/28/newsfe1.htm. 4 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  49. News: Sri Lanka's biggest Muslim party ditches Rajapaksa. The Guardian. Associated Press. 28 December 2014.
  50. News: SLMC to support Sirisena, Hakeem resigns ministerial portfolio. TamilNet. 28 December 2014.
  51. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications NOTIFICATION. 3 January 2015. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1895/45. 19 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20150408202035/http://documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Jan/1895_45/G%2020831%20(E).pdf. 8 April 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  52. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 18 January 2015. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1897/16. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150128115111/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Jan/1897_16/1897_16%20%28E%29.pdf. 28 January 2015.
  53. News: New Cabinet ministers sworn in. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 12 January 2015.
  54. News: New Cabinet takes oaths. The Nation (Sri Lanka). 12 January 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150118145912/http://www.nation.lk/edition/latest-top-stories/item/37306-new-cabinet-takes-oaths.html. 18 January 2015.
  55. News: Imtiaz. Zahrah. Moramudali. Umesh. 27-member cabinet 10 State ministers 08 Deputy ministers. Ceylon Today. 13 January 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150118144216/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-82146-news-detail-27-member-cabinet-10-state-ministers-08-deputy-ministers.html. 18 January 2015.
  56. News: Perera. Yohan. Good Governance MoU signed. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 13 July 2015.
  57. News: Disillusioned supporters of Sri Lanka President form a new front with UNP to contest parliamentary elections. Colombo Page. 11 July 2015.
  58. News: Rajasingham. K. T.. A Broad Holy Alliance for Good Governance – Minus Maithripala Srisena. Asian Tribune. 12 July 2015.
  59. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Government Notifications PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT, No. 1 OF 1981. 19 August 2015. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1928/03. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223730/http://www.documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Aug/1928_03/1928_03%20E.pdf. 23 September 2015.
  60. News: Ranil tops with over 500,000 votes in Colombo. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 19 August 2015.
  61. PART I : SECTION (I) — GENERAL Appointments & c., by the President. 14 September 2015. The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Extraordinary. 1932/07.
  62. News: New Cabinet. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 4 September 2015.
  63. News: The new Cabinet. Ceylon Today. 4 September 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150907020713/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16-102824-news-detail-the-new-cabinet.html. 7 September 2015.
  64. News: Satyapalan. Franklin R.. Suicide drama in Hakeem's compound. The Island (Sri Lanka). 7 October 2005.
  65. News: Rauff Hakeem cheated me in love. Daily News (Sri Lanka). 17 May 2004.
  66. News: We will pay you Rs. 20 million. The Sunday Leader. 23 May 2004.
  67. News: Hettiarachchi. Kumudini. From fame to flames. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 23 October 2005.
  68. News: Jayasinghe. Jayampathy. Kumari Cooray suicide : Police probe security lapse. Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). 9 October 2005. 19 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20060104211656/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2005/10/09/new20.html. 4 January 2006. live. dmy-all.
  69. News: Fuard. Asif. Police question Hakeem on Kumari's death. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 9 October 2005.
  70. News: Features. The Island (Sri Lanka). 4 September 2003.
  71. News: Abeynayake. Rajpal. Rajpal Abeynayake. A different parlour game altogether. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 13 October 2002.
  72. News: Jayasekara. Bandula. Anagarika Mahinda, Soprano Ranil, CBK into Coconuts. The Island (Sri Lanka). 4 March 2016.
  73. News: Jayakody. Pradeep. The Comparison of Preferential Votes in 2015 & 2010. The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 28 August 2015.

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