News
Zacky Jabbar’s untimely death: Fond memories will continue to linger
BY SURESH PERERA
The heart-wrenching news of the untimely death of senior journalist Zacky Jabbar (60) left his colleagues at The Island devastated.
Nobody expected Zacky to make a silent exit because that was not the way he lived – a lively character who always made his presence felt.
Knowing his penchant for travel, his absence was no cause for immediate concern, but it was only after calls to him went unanswered for too long that inquiries were made from his friends and acquaintances. However, they had neither seen nor heard from him for some time.
It was at that point his brother Zalman was contacted after much effort as Zacky was typically a private person who kept details of his family circle close to his chest. His privacy was tightly guarded.
He lived alone at his home in Kumaragewatte, Pelawatte. And that was where his brother found him dead last Wednesday.
Calls poured in as news of his sudden death spread across the media network. Many were the tributes paid to the senior journalist on Facebook and other social media platforms.
After a stint at Browns, Zacky cut his teeth in journalism at the now defunct ‘Sun’ newspaper, which he joined in 1985. Later he joined The Island and developed his career as a journalist covering the political round with close contacts in the UNP and the previous government.
The Kaduwela Acting Magistrate ordered Zacky’s body to be released to his brother Zalman for burial. The funeral was held on Thursday at the Muslim burial grounds at Battaramulla.
As the sun set on Zacky Jabbar, his colleagues in The Island and across the media spectrum bid an emotional farewell to a man who has left behind fond memories that will continue to linger.
Goodbye, Zacky, goodbye, until we meet again in a world beyond the stars!
News
Students of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College Kandy visit Presidential Secretariat and President’s House
A group of students from Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy visited the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House and Colombo Port City today (09).
This program, organized by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Mass Communication Division of Parliament, offers schoolchildren the opportunity to explore important sites, including the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, Colombo Port City, and the Parliament. The students from Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy were fortunate to participate in this program.
During their visit, the students learned about the history of Parliament after touring the old Parliament building.
Director General (Legal) of the Presidential Secretariat Advocate J.M. Wijebandara, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath (Retd), and Principal of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Kandy Mrs. Nilakshika Hapugoda along with several teachers were present on this occasion.
Most Reverend Dr. Brian Udaigwe, the Vatican Ambassador to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09).
During the meeting, the Vatican Ambassador congratulated President Dissanayake on his recent election victory, conveying heartfelt greetings from His Holiness Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of the Vatican City State.
Ambassador Udaigwe also extended best wishes for the continued success and prosperity of Sri Lanka under the new President’s leadership. In his remarks, Dr. Udaigwe expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s future, stating that positive developments were forthcoming in line with the people’s aspirations. He commended President Dissanayake’s commitment to the welfare of the country and its citizens, offering the Vatican’s support in realizing the President’s vision for Sri Lanka.
Dr Udaigwe also lauded President Dissanayake’s initiative to conduct transparent and credible investigations into the tragic Easter Sunday bombings and assured the fullest cooperation of the Vatican in supporting the President’s efforts to bring justice and healing to the victims and their families.
In line with the forthcoming 75th Army Anniversary (10 October) a solemn ceremony was held on 7th October 2024 at the Battaramulla War Heroes’ Monument (Ranaviru Smarakaya) to pay tribute to the heroic sacrifices of the nation’s fallen War Heroes.
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, lending a significant sense of respect and prominence to the occasion. The event commenced with singing the National Anthem, followed by a two-minute silence observed in honour of the nation’s fallen patriots.
Thereafter, the Chief Guest, accompanied by several Senior Officers and Colonels of all regiments of the Sri Lanka Army laid floral wreaths and saluted paying a solemn tribute to the fallen War Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sovereignty of the nation.
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