Jezima Ismail

Deshabandu Jezima Ismail (born 1935) is a Sri Lankan educator, broadcaster and social activist who has also served as an advocate for human rights. She has held several higher positions in fields such as education, human rights and broadcasting. She has also worked in several international organisations on human rights. She is the founder of the Muslim Women's Research and Action Forum (MWRAF), and the founder and president of the Sri Lanka Muslim Women's Conference (SLMWC). Additionally, she has served as vice chancellor of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, chairperson of People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), principal of Muslim Ladies College Colombo, and as a teacher at the Devi Balika Vidyalaya.

Jezima has notably addressed some of the nation's most critical issues including development of youth, women's rights, peace and democracy. In 1989, she was awarded the title of Deshabandu by the Sri Lankan government, which is the third highest national honour in Sri Lanka. Jezima Ismail is considered as one of inspirational and greatest women among the Islamic community for her immense services towards the society.

Early life and Education. Jezima Ismail was born in 1935 in the village of Sainthamaruthu, a village which is about 2 and half miles away from Kalmunai, Ampara district. Her father was an irrigation engineer, her mother was a homemaker and her grandfather served as a trustee of a mosque. Her mother's side of the family was heavily involved in local politics and during election times, her mother worked as a polling agent. Ismail has fond memories of growing up in her village where she attended Carmel Convent School. Influenced by the vibrant culture, traditional music, and colorful attire of this backdrop, she developed a passion for the arts from a young age. Despite familial pressures towards a teaching career, she fondly recalls, "I loved music, dancing, and drama. If I had my way I would have been a singer or dancer.

In 1980, she became the first woman to be appointed as the head of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and has worked as a broadcaster for the SLBC. Jezima Ismail was appointed as one of the members of the committee by the then Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapakse to study and respond to the reports related to the Mullivaikkal Hospital bombings in 2009. She is also the founder of Sri Lanka Muslim Women's Conference (SLMWC) and has served as the former vice chancellor of the Eastern University. She too served as the chairperson of People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL)