Mansoor of Zahira fame is no more

Versatile sportsman, A.M.M Mansoor of Zahira College, Colombo and of University of Ceylon fame is no more. He passed away on July 1 after a brief illness at the age of 74. He represented the then University of Ceylon (later, University of Peradeniya) in rugby, soccer and table tennis. A keen follower of sports, he also excelled in tennis.

In 1962, he was the Vice Captain of the University of Ceylon rugby team, which was led by Jayantha Dhanapala. Prior to joining Zahira College, Colombo, he schooled at St. Aloysius College, Ratnapura.

Mansoor graduated with a B.A in economics. He was also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA). After articling at Burah Hathy & Com- pany, he joined Ceylon Plywoods Corporation, where he became the Senior-Accountant. Later, he was employed as the Finance Manager of the state owned Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) and at the Building Materials Corporation (BMC) in the 1980 s before leaving overseas to join the Saudi Research and Development Corporation Limited, one of the largest com- panies in Saudi Arabia.

After returning to Sri Lanka he started his own audit firm and also ventured into the development of accounting software, an area in which he developed considerable expertise.

His Janaza was held amid a large gathering at the Dehiwela Jumma Mosque. He is survived by his wife Saniha and daughters, Shaheema and Raeesa.