Eastern Muslim Theologians express concerns on P-TOMS to President

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga met representatives of the Eastern Muslim Council on Tuesday 21, and discussed in detail the proposed P-TOMS to be signed by the Government and the LTTE.

Eleven senior Muslim clergymen from Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts were present at the two-hour discussion at the President's House, a Presidential Media Unit release said yesterday.

They expressed concerns and difficulties faced by their community in tsunami affected areas in the East. The Moulavis advocated that the Muslim community should also be signatories to the proposed P-TOMS or the Tsunami Relief Council.

They insisted that the Muslim community be allowed to participate in the reconstruction of tsunami-affected areas through their representatives.

The President assured them that the rights and security of the Muslim community would be safeguarded and respected and that they will be given their rightful share in the proposed P-TOMS.

She said the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen has already been requested to convey the concerns and aspirations of the Muslim community to the LTTE when he meets them.

President Kumaratunga added that the signing and implementation of the P-TOMS would be a positive confidence building measure between the LTTE and the Government and would lead the LTTE to democratic mainstream politics. The President agreed that the Muslim community has a distinct political identity and its own aspirations, and she recalled the late M.H.M. Ashraff's contribution to the welfare of the Muslim Community in the East.

Peace Secretariat, Secretary General Jayantha Dhanapala and Muslim Peace Secretariat Head, Javid Yoosuf were associated with the President.