Ideals of M. H. M. Ashraff still in our hearts - Minister Hakeem

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: Although the founder leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), former Minister M. H. M. Ashraff is no more his ideals still live in our hearts, said Posts and Telecommunications Minister Rauff Hakeem, yesterday.

Addressing the seventh death anniversary of late Ports and Aviation Minister Ashraff held at the Postal Department Headquarters, Minister Hakeem said that Ashraff who entered the political arena in 1986, joined hands with the Peoples' Alliance to form the 1994 PA Government.

Minister Hakeem pointed out that with the forming of the SLMC,, they were able to capture power in the Eastern Province winning a majority of seats at the 1994 General Election and the Local Governmental elections.

Tamil National alliance Leader R. Sambandan paid tribute to the SLMC Founder leader as he was one of the leaders who vehemently voiced the grievances of the minority communities after the late TULF leader S. J. Chelvanayakam.

He underscored the need of the Tamils and the Muslims to work together to arrive at a consensus in establishing long lasting unity in the country. He said late Ashraff was not only a politician but also a poet and an intellectual who was endowed with the gift to express his views in poems and also displayed skills as a competent negotiator.

Ashraff started his political career joining the Federal Party and was a strong believer in negotiations as the only means one should employ to arrive at a honourable and sustainable peace.

Only through a negotiated peace that the identity of the Muslims and Tamils would be protected. This would lead them to live with honour enjoying their cultural and linguistic rights, the fundamental elements of human rights, Sambandan added. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. H. Mohammad, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, former Senator Mashoor Moulana and many others were present.