Sri Lankan Malays
Encyclopedia
The Malays of Sri Lanka
(also known in Sinhalese language as Ja Minissu, Javanese) originated in Southeast Asia
and today consist of about 50,000 people. Their early ancestors came to the country when both Sri Lanka and Indonesia
were colonies of the Dutch
, while the second wave (1796–1948) came from the Malay Peninsular, when both Malaya
and Sri Lanka were in the British Empire
.
Most of the early immigrants were soldiers, posted by the Dutch which later continued by the British for colonial administration to Sri Lanka, who decided to settle on the island. Other immigrants were convicts or members of noble houses from Dutch East Indies
(present day Indonesia) who were exiled to Sri Lanka and who never left. The main source of a continuing Malay identity is their common Malay language
, which includes numerous words absorbed from the Moorish
variant of the Tamil language and has changed its grammatical structures along the model provided by Sinhala and Tamil. In the 1980s, the Malays made up about 5% of the island's Muslim population
, making them one of the smallest minority groups in Sri Lanka
.
and names of streets such as Malay Street, Java Lane, Jalan Padang
(people of Java) and orang Melayu (Malay people) while the majority Sinhalese community call them Ja-minissu (Javanese people).
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
(also known in Sinhalese language as Ja Minissu, Javanese) originated in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and today consist of about 50,000 people. Their early ancestors came to the country when both Sri Lanka and Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
were colonies of the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, while the second wave (1796–1948) came from the Malay Peninsular, when both Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
and Sri Lanka were in the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
Most of the early immigrants were soldiers, posted by the Dutch which later continued by the British for colonial administration to Sri Lanka, who decided to settle on the island. Other immigrants were convicts or members of noble houses from Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
(present day Indonesia) who were exiled to Sri Lanka and who never left. The main source of a continuing Malay identity is their common Malay language
Sri Lanka Malay
The Sri Lankan Malay is an Austronesian language formed through a unique mixture of the Sinhalese language and the Tamil language with Malay...
, which includes numerous words absorbed from the Moorish
Sri Lankan Moors
The Sri Lankan Moors are the third largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka comprising 8% of the country's total population . They are predominantly followers of Islam. The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka some time between the 8th and 15th centuries...
variant of the Tamil language and has changed its grammatical structures along the model provided by Sinhala and Tamil. In the 1980s, the Malays made up about 5% of the island's Muslim population
Islam in Sri Lanka
Islam in Sri Lanka is practiced by a group of minorities who make up approximately 10% of the population.on the 2001 census of GOSL shows there are 1,711,000 Muslims The Muslim community is divided into three main ethnic groups: the Sri Lankan Moors, the Indian Muslims, and the Malays, each with...
, making them one of the smallest minority groups in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
.
Malay Place Names in Sri Lanka
Some place-names in Sri Lanka have references, indicating the presence of Malay communities or contribution to the location. Some of these are:- Jawatte
- Kartel (Slave IslandSlave IslandSlave Island is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka located directly south of the Fort area of Colombo. The name Slave Island was given during the period of British occupation and administration, and refers to the situation under Portuguese and Dutch administration when slaves were held there, most of...
) - Ja-ElaJa-ElaJa-Ela is a major suburb approximately 20 km north of Colombo city center Fort, Sri Lanka.-Etymology:The Term Ja-Ela means Javanese Canal and denotes historical the presence of Sri Lankan Malays in the area...
- Javakachcheri (Chavakachcheri)
and names of streets such as Malay Street, Java Lane, Jalan Padang
Etymology
The local Malays refer to themselves as orang JavaJava
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
(people of Java) and orang Melayu (Malay people) while the majority Sinhalese community call them Ja-minissu (Javanese people).
Religion
Like their ancestors in Malaysia and Indonesia, almost all Sri Lankan Malays are Muslim.Notable Sri Lankan Malays
- T.B. JayahTuan Burhanudeen JayahDr.Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah was born in Galagedara on 01st of January 1890. was a Sri Lankan educationalist, politician, and diplomat. He studied at St. Paul's College, Kandy and St Thomas' College Mt. Lavinia and received his degree from the University of London in 1913 and joined Dharmaraja...
- Founder of Zahira College, Well known educationist and social worker and Nominated Member of Parliament and appointed Minister in 1947. - Dr. M. P. Drahaman - Former Nominated Member of Parliament of Ceylon (1956–1960 and 1960–1963)
- B. Zahiere Lye - Former Nominated Member of Parliament of Ceylon (1963–1965)
- Justice Maas Thaajon Akbar - Former Supreme Court Judge and Member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
- M. K. Saldin - Former nominated member of the State Council of Ceylon (1931–1935)
- M. D. Kitchilan - Appointed to the Senate by Government (1965–1971)
- BrigadierBrigadierBrigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
T. S. B. Sally - Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Tuan Nizam MuthaliffTuan Nizam MuthaliffColonel Tuan Nizam Muthaliff RWP, MI was the former Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Military Intelligence Corps.-Background:...
- The former Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Military Intelligence Corps. - Brigadier Suraj Bangsajayah, RSPRSP-Music:* RSP , a Japanese hip-hop and R&B group* Rubber Soul Project, a Serbian rock music band-Computers and technology:* Remote Serial Port, an extension to the Telnet protocol* Reality signal processor, a component of the Nintendo 64...
- Drector Recruiting, Sri Lanka Army - Brigadier M. Z. R. Sallay
- Al Haj M H Amit - Nominated as Member of Parliament - 1989
- Jiffry Yoonoos - Cartoonist of the Aththa newspaper and a founder of the Cartoonists' Relief Network,
- Tillakaratne DilshanTillakaratne DilshanTillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan born October 14, 1976 in Kalutara, Sri Lanka is a Sri Lankan cricketer and captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team since April 2011. He has been a member of the team since November 1999, and was also known as Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan prior to his conversion...
- Member of the Sri Lankan national cricket team since November 1999 - Ramzi RahamanRamzi RahamanRamzi Rahaman is a well known Sri Lankan fashion designer and hairdresser born to a Sri Lankan Malay family.-Early life:...
- A fashion designer - Gefari Dulapandan - Captained and Representented Sri Lanka in Swimming
- M. R. Latiff - Senior Superintendent of Police, Director Sri Lanka Police Academy, Sri Lanka Police
See also
- Sri Lankan Malay language
- Islam in Sri LankaIslam in Sri LankaIslam in Sri Lanka is practiced by a group of minorities who make up approximately 10% of the population.on the 2001 census of GOSL shows there are 1,711,000 Muslims The Muslim community is divided into three main ethnic groups: the Sri Lankan Moors, the Indian Muslims, and the Malays, each with...
- Sri Lankan MoorsSri Lankan MoorsThe Sri Lankan Moors are the third largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka comprising 8% of the country's total population . They are predominantly followers of Islam. The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka some time between the 8th and 15th centuries...
- Colombo Malay Cricket Club
- Sri Lanka Malay Association