Cader refutes Karu’s claim

Nihal JAYAWARDENE

Environment Deputy Minister A M A Abdul Cader yesterday refuted a claim that the UNP is responsible for introducing Muslim leaders to the country allegedly made by its deputy leader as an utter falsehood.

This can be proved by considering his status within the UNP itself. Cader said in addition to being Assistant Treasurer, Vice-President and working committee member of the UNP the party leader entrusted him with the post of Muslim leader.

This however was a mere label without any active powers.

In addition to giving positions to persons an opportunity and leverage should be given them to work for the welfare of his people. But this was not there in the UNP.

Cader said in sharp contrast to the UNP the SLFP had been responsible for producing many active Muslim leaders. The late Dr Badi-ud-Din Mohamad was an SLFP Muslim leader who rendered a yeoman service to education as onetime Education Minister.

There had been 17 Muslim ministers in the SLFP in the recent past and there are seven ministers and deputy ministers in the present government too.

As for him he had been able to render a vital service to the people to the value of Rs 185 million after joining the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.