T. B. Jayah | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Labour and Social Services | |
| In office 26 September 1947 – 1950 | |
| Prime Minister | D. S. Senanayake |
| Preceded by | I. X. Pereira |
| Succeeded by | M. C. M. Kaleel |
| High Commissioner for Ceylon in Pakistan | |
| In office 1950–1957 | |
| President of All Ceylon Muslim League | |
| In office 1924–1950 | |
| Member of the Ceylon Parliament for Colombo Central | |
| In office 20 September 1947 – 30 May 1952 | |
| Preceded by | Electorate Created |
| Succeeded by | Razik Fareed |
| Member of Legislative Council | |
| In office 1924–1931 | |
| Member of State Council | |
| In office 1936–1947 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah 1 January 1890 Galagedara, Ceylon |
| Died | 31 May 1960 (aged 70) Mecca, Saudi Arabia |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Political party | United National Party |
| Alma mater | University of London S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia St. Paul's College, Kandy |
| Profession | Educationalist |
Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah (1 January 1890 – 31 May 1960), was a Sri Lankan educationalist, politician, diplomat and Muslim community leader and considered one of Sri Lanka's national heroes.[1] 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 in 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.