‘Govt will construct comfortable apartments for shanty dwellers’

The government is developing the Colombo city. It will construct comfortable apartments in flats for people living in Colombo, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.

The Defence Secretary was addressing members of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulamas (ACJU) on September 17. He met them at Technology and Research Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapha’s residence. UPFA Colombo Municipal Council mayoral candidate Milinda Moragoda was also present.

Mufti Rizwe, Burhan Moulavi, Omardeen Moulavi and Adam Ali of the ACJU were among the participants.

The Defence Secretary said, ‘some people have small pieces of lands, and still unable to build a house. We have planned for putting up houses for them in flats in their own locations. There are dirty and stinking lakes or water collections breeding mosquitoes and creating unhealthy conditions to the environment. So we want to give the people a better environment for a better living. One toilet is used by many residents in many areas in Colombo. We want to give every house one toilet and separate water facilities.” He questioned, “Without demolishing the shanties how can we develop?”

“If we leave it, the people have to live like this forever. Do not believe in rumours. We are not going to send Colombo residents to Vavuniya and Batticaloa. The Colombo residents should co-operate with us to develop themselves,” he said. “The Greaseman problem is solved. We have brought peace and some elements do not like peace in the country. There are rumours about Greaseman. If there is anything inform the Police. And do not believe in rumours. Some people try to take some sort of advantage from these rumours. We will see that peace is maintained in the country.”

Mufti Rizwe said,”ACJU has a history of more than 85 years. Throughout the history we have maintained a good relationship with all political parties. And we have helped and guided any existing government for maintaining peace in the country.

We have learnt this lesson from our veteran religious scholars. As everyone knows, ACJU is a non-political organization. All what we want is a peaceful environment to every citizen of this country. The Muslims in this country have been maintaining good relations, not only with the government, but also with all communities, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and others.”

“The President said after his victory that there is no more minorities in this country, stressing that everybody is of equal status. And we feel happy that we are all Sri Lankans, and any of our day to day issues be sorted out by the government. ACJU is also ready at any time to offer our religious guidance in solving the problems.”

“Our Muslim community is facing certain issues, which we have already brought to the notice of the relevant authorities time to time. Once again we would like to forward it to the govt. for solution. Our problems briefly are:

1. For the NIC, passport and driving licence the Muslims are not allowed to take photographs wearing a cap. ACJU called all prominent Muslim Organizations and discussed this matter and as decided we wrote a request letter to Registrar of Persons who has not solved this problem yet.

2. Muslim residents in Colombo are worried that their houses are broken or will be broken and they want to know of their destiny.

3. Meat producers have a number of problems in their process activities and they are facing high cost problems due to the tender system, etc.

4. Animal slaughtering for the forthcoming Haj Festival as a religious obligation.

5. Greasemen problem creating unwanted fear among the people.

Mufti Rizwe requested the government to solve these issues faced by the Muslim community.

In response to the problems Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said, “Regarding cap matter the existing government circular should be in operation. Nobody can change without my approval. And up to now I have not done any change.”

He spoke over phone immediately to the concerned person in charge of the subject, and ordered to issue a circular to all AGAs, allowing all Muslims, who practice wearing a cap to take the photos for identity, passport and licence with a cap, as usual according to the existing circular.

On behalf of the Meat Producers’ Association Ashroff Razack, the chairman of M.A.M. Abdul Cader and Co. Pvt Limited pointed out that

* Five leather industries are running successfully depending on the supply of animal skin, which is impossible without animal slaughtering.

* Due to the tender system the ordinary meat producers face more cost while the supermarkets pay a small charge and sell the meat. He requested for a different mechanism instead of calling for tender.

* Qurban obligation during the Haj season to be considered. Finally, the SD said all issues of Muslims will be solved.