Muslims thank Polls Chief

Environment Minister A. H. M. Fowzie writing on behalf of Muslims thanked Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake, for acceding to his request to avoid having the Presidential Election during the month of Ramazan.

"The respect and recognition by you for Muslim sensitiveness is highly taken note of by the community and your fairness goes down on record as a precedent to be emulated by your successors in the future," Fowzie said in a letter to the Commissioner.

The Minister also said: "In this regard I also wish to make a request to avoid the election day on Thursdays and Fridays as it will affect Muslim public servants on election duty in performing their Jumma prayers on Friday.

I request to avoid Thursday, because of the counting that will eventually, have to take place on Fridays. I am sure this request too will be given due consideration by you."