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SLMC rebels poised to end Parliament boycott

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) MPs yesterday edged closer to ending their boycott of Parliament following extensive discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has also written to the SLMC, assuring Muslims' rights at every stage of the peace process and in a final solution.

"I would like to give an assurance to protect the aspirations related to the rights of Muslims of the North-East legally and constitutionally both at the transitional phase and final solution," the Prime Minister said.

Seven MPs boycotted Parliament for nearly one month demanding a firm assurance from the Prime Minister on the security of Muslims living in the East. The MPs wrote to the Prime Minister last week outlining five issues on which they were seeking a guarantee from the government.

Minister Assisting Vanni Rehabilitation Noordeen Masoor told the Daily News late last night that the seven MPs were due to meet around midnight to take a final decision after considering views on the Prime Minister's assurance.

"The decision is favourable on ending the boycott of Parliament and attending Parliament on Saturday or Monday. But, this will be on certain conditions," the Minister added.

"At this meeting, the seven MPs are due to decide the conditions that are to be put forward to end the boycott."

The SLMC High Command reviewed the Premier's letter and nominated Ministers A.L.M. Athaullah and Noordeen Masoor to hold talks with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe yesterday morning.

The seven MPs are: Deputy Minister of Highways A. L. M. Athaullah, Minister Assisting Vanni Rehabilitation Noordeen Mashoor, Deputy Minister of Fisheries & Ocean Resources M. B. Mohideen Abdul Cader, H. M. M. Harees, M. I. Anver Ismail, Abdul Rishad Badiudeen and M. B. A. Azeez.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has assured rebel MPs of the government's commitment to protect the rights of Muslims in his letter to them yesterday.

"The Government has explicitly declared on many occasions that the interests of all communities will be effectively safeguarded through the Constitutional structures that will be established to achieve durable peace in our country," the Prime Minister said.

"This will include the identity and vital interests of the Muslim community in the Eastern area. Every step will be taken to avoid lapses that occurred in the previous political negotiations where Muslims had to undergo hardships and suffering.

"I have stated the position of the Government in regard to this matter in the comments I made after signing the Ceasefire Agreement and in my recent address at the General Assembly of the United Nations.

"However, in the event of the transitional period and the final solution, the Government will take every positive effort to implement ways and means to achieve the objectives with regard to the aspirations of the Muslims in the North-East."

The Prime Minister said the Government is firmly committed to protect and entrench the security of the Muslims in the North-East. Muslims will be free and have the right to look after their affairs the other communities without any hindrance or interference. The Government is prepared to consider the establishment of Special Security Units to achieve this purpose.

The Premier told the SLMC MPs that the Minister of Interior will appoint a Committee consisting of the Secretary to the Ministry, the Inspector General of Police and the Deputy Inspector General of Police Nimal Gunatilleke with the mandate of taking immediate steps to implement security arrangements.

The parties decided to proceed with the establishment of the Joint Task Force as originally envisaged. The alternative modalities agreed upon are entirely consistent with the fulfilment of Muslim aspirations. This sub-committee on immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation needs will include two Muslim members.

The Government will make arrangements to establish a special body comprising of all Muslim majority Divisions and they will be consulted comprehensively and their proposals taken fully into account.

If further measures are thought to be necessary, these aspects would be addressed after proposals relating to the new structure are formulated by the Committee, the Prime Minister assured.

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