RTD. SSP M.F. NOORDEEN (1940-2022): FEATHER IN THE HAT OF SRI LANKA POLICE

Words continue to fail me ever since I lost the grip of our amiable companionship on the fateful and dreary night of June 21st when you peacefully breathed your last kake (grandfather). Your brave hands firmly clutched in mine throughout our final ambulance ride from Narahenpita Police Hospital to Colombo General Hospital (NHSL) the previous evening. A posthumous letter does little justice, but to pen my heartiest gratitude in a succinct tribute is the least I could do to a revered statesman of his ilk and erudition who epitomised compassion, integrity and altruism through yeoman service to the nation as a visionary leader, peace advocate, crusader for justice and stalwart who was a feather in the hat of Sri Lanka Police.

A beloved husband, loving father, doting grandfather and darling great-grandfather with a heart larger than life, Mohammed Fajurdeen Noordeen was born on May 14th, 1940 to Inspector of Police (IP) Mohammad Sameen and Nona Dane of Kurunegala. The third among four close-knit children, kake schooled at St. Anne’s College in Kurunegala where he demonstrated academic acumen and athletic prowess complemented by a myriad of coveted accolades clinched for extra cum co-curricular activities throughout college life. Not only did he champion soccer, table-tennis, cricket and boxing, kake exuded moral and exemplary conduct buttressed by his unflinching dedication as a disciplined cadet platoon sergeant. Treading along the promising footsteps of his father and elder brother Nasoordeen-- Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) stationed in Galle District at the time of his premature death, kake joined the honourable service in 1960 as a probationary Sub Inspector (SI) and had his inaugural posting at Batticaloa under ASP Sheik Ismaile Azeez who was then in charge of the aforementioned police jurisdiction. It was during the spell of time in 1961-62 that kake met his soulmate Sherlyn Nizara Azeez who was in fact the daughter of his own ASP and granddaughter of Sri Lanka’s first Muslim ASP Tuan Doll. 

"He was an honourable police officer with absorbing qualities who spoke truth to power under all circumstances; never cracked under pressure"

Oftentimes lauded as the unsung hero of Kirindiwela, kake served as Kirindiwela Police OIC during the onset of the insurgency in 1970-75. Just as much as he was a devoted officer with the bounden duty of upholding law and order, kake personified bravery as a valiant knight of absolute terror for wrongdoers from mountaintops to ocean sides to empty boulevards -- a veritable force to reckon with, he wouldn’t spare a miscreant soul; which credits to why kake is hitherto hailed as the uncrowned king of Kirindiwela. Having served in every nook and corner from downtown Colombo to remote hamlets nestled in far-flung corners of the island, kake’s sagacity, diligence and perseverance earned him the rank of ASP in 1979 and was consequently assigned the Kotahena Police Station. As ASP, he served in Bandarawela, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa with great devotion. Subsequently in 1990-95, during the height of the civil war, kake rose to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in the Ampara Division. Registering an impeccable record throughout his illustrious career spanning 40 long years of uninterrupted service, kake retired in year 2000 as SSP of the Kurunegala Police Division. He was an honourable police officer with absorbing qualities who spoke truth to power under all circumstances; never cracked under pressure. Although he retired 22 years ago, kake always commanded the same respect he did during his prime in the police department owing to his pristine and immaculate pedigree in the public service. 

It was astonishing and overwhelming to witness hundreds of people throng to pay their last respects to kake. The funeral (janaza) took place on June 22nd at the Akbar Town burial ground in Wattala with a dignified procession and police honours as a fitting tribute to a life well lived. Kake is survived by his beloved wife Sherlyn, loving children Naufal (Dilan), Ramzil (Ramzi), Rozana (Yuhani), Dilshani (Shani) and Imran (Malik), daughters-in-law Fariya and Rizna, son-in-law Noor, grandchildren Faiza, Saima, Faazna, Furkhan, Bushra, Beewar, Nabeel, Rifaza, Sumaiya, Rinofa, Shahamath and great-grandchildren Aysha, Umar, Aiza, Yusoof, Raiyyan, Baharam, Ubaid and Mariam. 

The family members wish to express their heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the medical staff of the Police Hospital, NHSL and Nightingale Nursing Home in Wattala for their relentless service and sustained care, respected police officers including retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Latiff who made apt arrangements for the funeral procession, all those who attended the funeral at short notice including Iranian Cultural Counselor Dr. Bahman Moazami, relatives and friends both here and abroad who sent profound messages of condolence as well as supportive neighbours resident in John Keells Housing Scheme for their unwavering support through various meaningful gestures during this time of grief. 

His demise is an irreparable loss to our family, the country and humankind at large that leaves behind a void that can never be filled. You are greatly missed kake. Happy trails to you, until we meet again. May Allah grant my kake Jannatul Firdaus – Ameen! 

Your ever-loving grandson M.F. Noordeen Jr. (Dr. Furkhan Noordeen)