Imthiaz Bakeer Markar

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar was born on 8th of August 1953. He joined Holy Cross College Kalutara in 1959 and went on to complete his secondary education at Ananda College Colombo. He graduated from the University of Kelaniya with a BSc in Mass Communication in 1977 and completed his law exams and took oaths as an Attorney-at-law in 1981.

In 1981 he became the Deputy Chairman of the Kalutara District Development Council, a position he retained until he was elected to the Sri Lankan Parliament as the Member for the Kalutara District in 1988. He served as the Minister of State for Housing between 1989 and 1994 and as the Minister of Media, Post and Telecommunication in the Cabinet of the 12th Sri Lankan Parliament between 2001 and 2004.

Retired from active politics since then, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar continues to advice the United National Party he represents and currently serves as the Chairman of the National Media Centre, attached to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Outside of the political sphere, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar is the Founder President of the Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity (1997- to date), an organization built to take forward the vision of his late father, M. A. Bakeer Markar. He was also the National President of the All Ceylon Muslim League Youth Fronts from 1991 to 1995 and is a regular columnist for national newspapers.



Political Party Engagements

  • Member of the United National Party [1970 – To Date]
  • Vice President of the United National Party [2008-2010]
  • Member - Working Committee [1994 – 2005, 2008- 2010, 2014 – To Date]
  • General Secretary – All Ceylon UNP Youth League [1981 -1988]
  • General Treasurer - All Ceylon UNP Youth League [1980– 1981]
  • Vice President – All Ceylon UNP Youth League [1979– 1980]
  • President – All Ceylon UNP Students’ Movement [1975 – 1980]
  • President - Inter University UNP Students’ Movement [1975]
  • Senior Vice President- Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya [UNP Affiliated Trade Union] [1994-2004]

Books Authored

  • My Heart Beat – Compilation of Parliamentary Speeches [2008]
  • The J.R. I disliked – Book on Former President J.R. Jayawardene [2009]
  • Mirror of Patriotism – Book on the exemplary life of Dr. T.B. Jayah [2014]
  • Reflections – Compilation of series of opinion editorials on local and international affairs [2015]

Wikipedia Link