‘Sithamu’ by Imthiaz Bakeer Markar A book that predicted Sri Lanka’s fate
15 August 2023 12:14 am
Views - 940
This book reflects the things I used to think from my intelligence. I expressed about the way how our country and how our world should be placed. We can’t change the world, but from our strengths we can contribute to those good intentions,”
- Imthiaz Bakeer Markar
Imthiaz Bakeer Markar is a columnist who doesn’t hire a journalist to write his articles,”
- Tharindu Uduwaragedara Journalist
The launch of the book ‘Sithamu’ penned by parliamentarian and Attorney-at-law Imthiaz Bakeer Markar was held August 10 at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.
The main invitees at this event were Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Moreover Senior Journalist Chandana Sooriyabandara, young journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara and the Senior Lecturer at the Department of International Studies of the Open University of Sri Lanka Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon expressed their views regarding the book.
Sooriyabandara focused on the current situation of the country too. Through his speech he was able to draw a connection with the ongoing political agenda in the country with the chapters of the book. He concluded his speech by requesting readers ‘not to skip’ even a single word in the book.
“Why do we read the letters in ‘Sithamu’. It is advantageous for us. In this book he has stated about the problems that we are facing today. In a column reproduced from 2022 he states that there will be a shortage of medicine. Also adds that children will suffer from malnutrition. He has stated that opportunities for higher studies have expanded. In Chapter 86 named as the ‘aththa wasa atha’ (the hidden truth) he has mentioned about the current crisis. I hand over this to you. Now we are seeing the political agenda of our country after the independence. Are you happy? Are we honest as a country? In this book Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has brought up stories about the leaders all over the world. Let’s make this country a bankrupt country. Then our children will get an opportunity to start from zero. The best solution we have right now is to make this country further bankrupt. I am sorry this is how I feel. Don’t skip even a single word or a single full stop in this book,” added Sooriyabandara.
Samarakoon in his speech said, “No matter how forcefully we tell these politicians to be philosophical they don’t listen to us. The duty of a citizen is extremely important for a democratic country”.
The event concluded with the vote of thanks made by Markar.
“This book reflects the things I used to think from my intelligence. I expressed about the way how our country and how our world should be placed. We can’t change the world, but from our strengths we can contribute to those good intentions,” added Markar.
Journalist Uduwaragedara in his speech said, “Since I am a journalist it’s my habit to read newspapers. But as a habit I skip the columns penned by politicians. I do this because for a fact I know that most of them are hired journalists who write their piece or articles. I personally know people who write in such a way. But they are politicians who don’t write like that. Imithiaz Bakeer Markar is a columnist who doesn’t hire a journalist to write his articles”.