Pen sketches of Government team to Geneva : Ferial, representing Muslim interests

E. Weerapperuma

COLOMBO: During the past three days we carried the pen sketches of the Government negotiating team to Geneva. Today we feature Housing and Construction Development, Eastern Province Education and Irrigation Development Minister Ferial Ashraff who would represent the interests of Muslims.

Ashraff who never came into the limelight while her husband was striding in the political arena as Minister and the Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress was almost pushed into politics after his tragic death on September 16, 2000. She was appointed as a Minister of the People's Alliance Government. She was re-elected to Parliament at the General Election 2000 from Digamadulla.

She is the leader of the National Unity Alliance. The simple mannered Ashraff was born on August 21, 1953.

She was one of the Members of the Parliamentary delegations that went to Europe to learn about the Federal system of Government. She has fought tooth and nail to see that the Muslims are given their due place in the peace talks.

The Government delegation at the Geneva talks will consist of a supportive team which includes H.L.D.Silva PC, attorney-at-law Gomin Dayasiri and Chief of the Treaty Section in the UN Legal Affairs Office Dr. Palitha Kohona.

Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando, two members from the Peace Secretariat including Dr. John Gunarathne, Navy Commander, Army Commander and economist Nivad Cabraal, economic advisor to the President.