Tuan Burhanudeen Jayah

Who was Tuan Burhanudeen Jayah?

T.B. Jayah, full name Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah, was a Sri Lankan educationalist, politician, diplomat and Muslim community leader. He started his career as a school teacher and retired after serving 27 years as the principal of Zahira College, Colombo. Under his stewardship, Zahira College became one of the leading schools in the country.

Jayah emerged as a leader of the Muslim community of the country. He entered the politics and became a prominent figure in pre-independence politics of Sri Lanka. He was elected to the legislative council, state council and parliament. He was also a founding member of the United National Party. He became the minister of Labour and Social Service of the first independent government of Sri Lanka. After retiring form politics, Jayah was appointed as the first high commissioner for Ceylon in Pakistan. He died in 1960, falling ill on pilgrimage to Mecca.