BRIGADIER T.S.B.(TACKY) SALLY– FORMER CHIEF-OF-STAFF

Brig. T.S.B. Sally, who we fondly referred to as Tacky Muda (Muda – Uncle) was a cousin of our father Rumie Mohamed. He was also married to our father’s younger sister Leila Dhaleel nee Mohamed.

Tacky Muda was not just a dutiful husband to his late wife Dhaleel, but also a devoted, kind and gentle father to their three children Dilano, Sabrina and Zeena; and to them he was the world.

We have felt tremendously proud and privileged to claim that he was an uncle to us, and to bask in the love and admiration that people had for him. To us, Tacky Muda was a legend and an icon; the likes of whom, we believe, will not be seen for generations to come. He bore himself with natural grace and charisma that could radiate only from a warm and caring heart. He was strong of character and ramrod straight, just like his erect military figure – that saw him chosen to be aide-de-camp to her majesty Queen Elizabeth II – when she visited, then Ceylon, to grant lndependence in 1948. His handsome face was

May Almighty Allah shower his Compassion and Mercy on Dear Tacky Muda

adorned with a warm smile that he did not grudge; whether it be the rich, poor, high, low, young, old, friend or foe. A trait that he lived up to, as much as he was fond of saying now and then, was to praise the good of a person and let the bad take care of itself. He understood the need to be human first.

He led an exemplary life; unassuming, kind, remarkably friendly and gentle to a fault; did not possess much, but went out of his way for the welfare of those near and dear and indeed those not so near. A gentleman of great honour, who commanded genuine love and respect without ever having to impose himself. No ill- will did he bear anyone. Pride, arrogance and discrimination was not his stock. Easily did he move with pauper and King.

As a young Sri Lankan Malay lad Brig. T.S.B. Sally enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army as a Second Lieutenant on the 21st November in 1942 and retired as a Brigadier holding the title of Chief-of-Staff on the 18th of March 1979. It is a matter of honour and pride to the Muslim community that Brig. Tacky Sally is the only Muslim to date, to have held the rank of Chiefof-Staff and to act as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army on two occasions during the absence of the then Army Commander.

Since his retirement he was actively involved with the welfare of the forces, some positions he held Chairman- Welfare Grants Committee, Sri Lanka Ex- Servicemen’s Association, member of the Ex-Servicemen’s Association and served as the President of ARFRO (Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers) till the very end.

His beloved Army accorded a fitting full military funeral; which included a 21 gun salute, a parade of over 750 troops, National Flag draped casket on gun carriage etc. that was extended for his farewell journey in total recognition of the rank and service in the Sri Lanka Army.

He was blessed to have passed away on a Friday in the holy month of Ramadhan – May Almighty Allah shower his Compassion and Mercy on Dear Tacky Muda!

An end of an era... a vacuum in our lives...

Dearest Tacky Muda we will always miss and remember you..!!!. May Almighty Allah grant you Jannathul Firdous –

Wiranti Musafer, Minhaz, Shamil and Seraj – and our mum Zanita Mohamed.