TRIBUTE TO ACKIEL OUSMAND: A legacy of Love, Community Service, and Commitment to Excellence! – By Upali Obeyesekere reporting from Toronto, Canada
Life is impermanent, but death is permanent! Ackiel Ousmand – A life well lived on this earth!
Ackiel’s beloved family, large coterie of friends and relatives must reluctantly accept that Ackiel has left us for good and will not come back. My thoughts of Ackiel are that of a warm hearted, friendly, and a committed human being. He was a trailblazer who made his presence felt to this world in many ways. In the twenty-five years he lived in Toronto, Ackiel was a mover and shaker in the Sri Lankan-Canadian community and served in numerous capacities in many socio-cultural organizations. By extension, he was an asset to Sri Lankan diplomats in Ottawa and Toronto who sought his assistance on community matters.
Albert Einstein’s quote “The only thing we can count on is uncertainty” is a profound statement about the nature of the universe and our place in it. When news of Ackiel’s demise trickled down it sent shockwaves through his close-knit family and friends. In fact, we are still in shock. He had a winning personality – his trademark smile and charisma were hallmarks of a life lost. We will always remember these traits that were part of his persona. He was a fixture at most social events in the Toronto community and enjoyed dancing the ‘baila’ – and won a few competitions on the floor.
I take this opportunity to thank our diligent editor Dirk Tissera for asking me to pen this tribute to mark Ackiel’s life & times. I requested his beloved sister Drehan Ousmand-Garth and daughter Azma Ousmand to help me assimilate facts of Ackiel’s life on earth. Azma graciously provided me with the following details for which we thank her profusely.
Extracts from WhatsApp message sent by Azma Ousmand:
“Thunku Mohamed Ackiel Ousmand was born into a large family on 23 June 1959, to the late Mueen Thunku Ousmand and Gnei Thufa Ousmand. He was eighth in a family nine children – Mirza (late), Shiraz, Feroze (late), Renuka, Rishad, Ashroff, Drehan, and Zacky. Ackiel and Roshan (nee Sabar) were married on 23 June 1985, and blessed with two daughters Azma (1989) and Dina (1991). Brother-in-law of Nargis, Kamilah, Ruheena, Ismet, Ziany, Zeenath, Aubrey Garth, Farah, and Shano Sabar and Shalina. Ackiel started his schooling career at St. Paul’s Convent, Kelaniya and moved to Zahira College Maradana from Grade 3 to high school. Ackiel and Roshan with their family immigrated to Canada in 1999. Ackiel had an interesting employment background – working at multiple government agencies – SCECO in Saudi Arabia, USAID in Sri Lanka, and the Government of Ontario in Toronto, Canada.
Ackiel Ousmand with his wife Roshan and daughters Azma & Dina
He held leadership roles within various community organizations – in Sri Lanka he served as the Treasurer, Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA) and Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMCC) and in Canada he was one of the founding members of Sri Lanka Malay Association of Toronto (SLAMAT) served as the President and held many advisory roles, he also served as the President of Canada-Sri Lanka Association (CSLA), and Zahira College Old Boys’ Association. He tirelessly worked towards fostering unity among all Sri Lankans. As a husband and father, he epitomized true masculinity, prioritizing the well-being of his family more than anything else. He extended his support not only to his immediate family but also to his extended relatives and friends, assuming a fatherly role to many. Through his embodiment of servant leadership, he shaped the life’s purpose of those around him, inspiring them to follow him. Although his recent passing has left a profound void, his love and legacy endure, touching the lives of countless individuals.
January 28th, 2024 marked the farewell to Thunku Mohamed Ackiel Ousmand, a profoundly influential figure in the lives of many, resting in his ancestral lands of Indonesia as the first in five generations. He was distinguished by his intellect, self-reliance, and unwavering commitment to service. Ackiel was a fan of cricket, rugby, soccer, basketball (biggest Toronto Raptors fan) and was an avid badminton player.”
The Sri Lankan Anchorman is grateful to Azma Ousmand for sending us details for this tribute of a proud Sri Lankan-Canadian. We ask you to remember a remarkable person who left the world a more creative and beautiful place. Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to Roshan, Azma, Dina and the Ousmand and Sabar families.
May Ackiel Rest in Eternal Peace!
