Fawzia with her surgeon

in 2000, after Fawzia was diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent surgery in the USA for a double mastectomy. Here she is with the surgeon who operated on her.

Scholarships in Fawzia's Memory - Update

In 2018, I donated Rs. 800,000/ to the Malay Rupee Fund and Rs. 400,000/ to the Women's Association of Sri Lankan Malays (WASLAM) to fund scholarships for Malay undergraduates.

The Rupee Fund recently informed me that four students were awarded scholarships this year. Please note that all the scholarship funds did not come from my donations. There are other donors, too.

CHILAW -  Azana Noordeen (BSc Pharmacy) Uni. Jaffna; KADUWELA - Tuan Ahamadon ( BSc ) Uni Sri Jayawardenepura; BORALESGAMUWA - Yasid Jayah (Management) Uni Jayawardenepura ; IBBAGAMUWA -  Shihanza Ousmand (Management) Uni Sri J’pura

The recipient from Chilaw, Azana Noordeen, happens to be a distant relative of Fawzia's.

WASLAM has also been supporting four Malay undergraduates. One of them, Rishad Hameed, graduated recently with First Class Honors in Business Management from Rajarata University. Mr. Hameed sent the following message of thanks

"The financial assistance I received through your scholarship scheme not only eased the burden of my studies but also motivated me to excel academically. Your dedication to empowering students like me is truly commendable, and I pray that your efforts continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of many more deserving individuals.

Once again, I extend my sincere thanks to your organization and to the sponsor, Dr. George Braine in memory of Fawzia Braine. May Almighty Allah bless you all abundantly and grant your organization the strength to keep supporting aspiring students."

Old photos

At Raddolugama. August, 1986

July, 1975. At Jaya Estate, Chilaw. Santhi carrying Roy.

December 2, 1978. At Santhi and Ranji's wedding at Wennappuwa church.

Recently found photo of Fawzia

 Leaving the USA for the last time, in August 2011. also the last time she saw Nelum, Roy, and Shannon.

Fawzia Braine Memorial Award - 10th Year

Title: "Corpus insights into the harmonization of commercial media in China: News coverage of migrant worker issues as a case study" by Eric Yin Liu

Journal: Discourse, Context & Media (Vol. 41, 2021)

Abstract:  Literature abounds regarding media censorship in China, but relatively few studies show how this is linguistically realized, and what impact it has on Chinese media discourse. Using news coverage of migrant worker issues as a lens, this paper demonstrates convergence in reportage between commercial media and state media in China that took place in the last few years. Our corpus-based critical discourse analyses show that negative words/phrases about migrant workers’ miseries (e.g., discrimination, physical assault, etc.) have decreased significantly in commercial reportage while positive words/phrases that praise the government’s achievements and actions in dealing with migrant worker issues (e.g., the increased income, the active entrepreneurial policy for migrant workers, etc.) have increased remarkably. We also note more shared vocabulary between the reportage of commercial and state media, which reflects a convergence in their reporting style. We attribute such changes to the political ideology of harmony that exerts sweeping influences on Chinese society and raise concerns about the health of the media landscape in China.

Bio: Eric Yin Liu is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of English at the University of Hong Kong. His research interests include media and internet politics, political communication, sociolegal studies, linguistic/semiotic anthropology, language and law, (critical) discourse studies, and the ethnographic approach to vulnerability. He had served as a coordinator of the Sociolinguistics Reading Group at the University of Hong Kong. Between 2021 and 2022, he is a Harvard-Yenching Fellow in the Linguistic/Semiotic Anthropology Advanced Training Program at the Harvard-Yenching Institute and the Department of Anthropology, Harvard University. 

Funds to support Malay university students

Distributed through the Women's Association of Sri Lanka Malays (WASLAM)

The following candidates will be receiving Rs, 3,500/- Rs 2.500/- or Rs 2,000.00 per month as stated below. 

 (1) ISSADEEN SLASA FATHIMA AZMA from HAMBANTOTA Institution: Ramanadana Academy of Fine Art, Ramanadan University of Jaffna – Course details: Fine Arts Will receive a grant of Rs. 3,500.00 per month x 48 months = Rs. 168,000.00 

(2) MUHAMMATHU NISFAL ITHREES from Oddamavadi Institution: Rajarata University Course: Management Studies Will receive a grant of Rs. 2000.00 per month x 24months = Rs. 48,000.00 

(3) HAMEED RISHAD ABDUL from Kurunegala Institution: Rajarata University Course: Management Studies Will receive a grant of Rs. 2000.00 per month x 24months = Rs. 48,000.00 

(4) GNEI FATHIMA IFRA DOOLE from Hambantota Institution: Eastern University Faculty of Swami Wipulananda Institute Course: Visual and Technology Arts Will receive a grant of Rs. 2,500.00 per month x 48 months = Rs. 120,000.00 

(5) GNEI FATHIMA RASHMA DOOLE from Hambantota Institution: University College of Matara Course: Event Management Will receive a grant of Rs. 2,500.00 per month x 48 months = Rs. 120,000.00 

Total disbursement Rs 504,000.00 (Rupees five hundred and four thousand only.) 

Fawzia Braine Memorial Award - 9th Year