Int’l understanding for Lanka - GL

*Global terrorism, global warming , financial crisis discussed

*Sri Lankans exercise great religious tolerance and amity

Disna MUDALIGE

‘The world community has shown an increasing understanding with regard to Sri Lanka. This could be witnessed during the recent sessions of the world recognized bodies, such as, the UN General Assembly, Commonwealth Heads of the Government meeting and SAARC meeting,’ said External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris.

The minister was addressing the opening sessions of the World Muslim Congress (WMC) General Council Meeting in Colombo yesterday on the theme ‘Problems faced by the world Muslim community and solutions’.

He said that the representatives from many countries have shown solidarity with Sri Lanka in their strongest possible manner by coming forward to support and stand by Sri Lanka.

Prof Peiris said that Sri Lanka as a nation emerging from a painful past overwhelmed with the brutality of terrorism, is addressing the task of reconciliation and national integration and the world now seems to recognize and understand this effort.

The minister observed that global terrorism, global warming and the current financial crisis in the world were among the broadly discussed topics in almost all the recently concluded sessions of the international conferences.

Prof Peiris noted that practical solutions should be confronted for these contemporary issues which call for world attention.

He observed that engaging in open and candid discussions, will help the world to arrive at a consensus with regard to these issues. The minister referring to the Islamic holy scriptures and Buddhist teachings said that those have provided the guidance to their followers to engage in mutual dialogue without resorting to violence to solve problems.

Prof Peiris said that he held productive discussions with foreign ministers of Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait during the recent past.

Addressing the occasion, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said that the Muslim community being the third largest religious group, enjoys a significant position among the multi-ethnic Sri Lankan society.

He recalled how Sinhala kings provided shelter and facilities to the Muslim community who were driven away by the Portuguese and Dutch from maritime provinces.

He noted that Sri Lankan religious communities have exhibited great religious tolerance and amity among themselves.

He observed that Sri Lankan Muslim leaders worked tirelessly with the other Sri Lankan political leaders to gain independence. Muslim ministers in the successive governments of Sri Lanka have contributed yeoman service to the social and economic development of the country, the Prime Minister said.

World Muslim Congress Senior Vice President and Sri Lanka Islamic Centre Chairman Dr M H Mohamed, WMC Secretary General Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar Ul-Haq also spoke.