Archives

by Colombo special correspondent

"The Malays have lived in harmony with the other communities since their arrival here during the Dutch period. I am aware that the Malay community has some grievances just now. I admit that certain injustices have been done to the Malay community and we shall try our best to remedy them. I agree with your President that the Malays deserve a Member of Parliament and Minister M. H. Mohamed and I shall explore the possibility of doing something in this regard," said Minister of Power and Energy, Karu Jayasuriya speaking at the Biennial Convention of the Sri Lanka Malay Community Development Program held at the Islamic Centre, Colombo.

Minister of Western Region Development, M. H. Mohamed said that he agreed with everything said by the program's President, Mr. T. M. Abbas. He also said he was glad that the program has resolved to support the Prime Minister and his government on the steps taken so far with regard to the National Issue. He said that it was most unfortunate that the Malays did not have a representative in Parliament and he agreed with the Program's President that most of their problems stemmed from that fact. Mr. Mohamed said that together with Minister Karu Jayasuriya he would try to speak to all the party leaders and see if this shortcoming could be remedied.

Making his presidential address Mr. T. M. Abbas said that the Malay community was a hundred percent working class community and as such they had to depend on politicians for all their requirements such as jobs, education and housing. While assuring that the Malays would stand to a man in finding a suitable solution to the ethnic issue, he said that the ethnic groups including the Sinhala Buddhists have genuine grievances and therefore, he suggested the appointment of a Cabinet Minister for Ethnic Affairs and a Council for each ethnic group so that their problems could be addressed at that level. For the last 54 years since independence several Ambassadors and High Commissioners have been appointed taking ethnicity into consideration. He said the Malays have always served the country with pride. But except for Dr. T. B. Jayah, no other Malay has been appointed so far. In the case of Chairmen of Corporations too the same situation prevails. Mr. Abbas said that these injustices should be redressed forthwith.

Mr. T. J. A. Catchon moved the vote of thanks.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager