Do not play foul in the cricket field or political cricket field - Azwer

Alhaj A H M Azwer told Parliament: MP Thilanga Sumathipala through his Motion calls for a healthy mind in a healthy body. That is the crux of the whole issue.

If the children are brought up in a proper way with high moral aptitude and discipline, society will be safe, the country will be safe and the future of the nation secured. This is what 'Mahinda Chintana: Vision for a new Sri Lanka' envisages.

Sir, he has also very correctly mentioned a fair system devoid of racism and class divisions. That is important. Sports are sports, children are children, schools are schools. You cannot divide them on the basis of caste, creed, or racism. If such a society could be built this country will be the 'Wonder of Asia'. We have achieved that goal. Today, Sir, while I speak, the President is meeting His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Last night, he had dinner with the Cardinals of Vatican and they were happy about Sri Lanka's position. Even His Eminence Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith - Hudson Samarasinghe, a veteran journalist and Chairman of the SLBC mentioned in the 'Dasa Desin' programme how happy His Holiness the Pope is. The Vatican is overjoyed by the visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sir, during his youth President Rajapaksa was a sportsman. That is why he is promoting sports.

In the Eastern and Northern Provinces, a large number of children take part in sports, particularly cricket, football and volleyball.

Sir, through a Motion, I urged this House that the Football Federation must be encouraged at school level. In the Eastern Province, they have taken to cricket.

As envisaged by Thilanga Sumathipala, assistance must be given to far-flung areas .

Today, we remember in this House, Sir, with nostalgic memories the first world champion M J M Lafir of Moors Sports Club. He won the World Amateur Billiards Championship and was the first champion produced by Sri Lanka in any sport.

There are a number of sports clubs in the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia area where they play even softball. So, you must help them. When I speak about Dehiwala I should like quote 'The Island' newspaper headline of Wednesday, June 6, 2012: 'Attempt to expel 23,000 Muslims from Dehiwela - UNP'.

This is a very serious and an inflammable statement that could incite the people. It states, I quote: "The UNP yesterday questioned if the latest project of an extremist group in the government issuing ultimatums to religious institutions, including mosques and churches, to shut down, was to evict over 23,000 Muslims from Dehiwela."

In Dehiwela, a large majority and the Muslims had thrown in their lot with the majority community, which was evident at the last election. It further states, I quote:

"...that there were over 23,000 Muslims residing in Dehiwela and it had been their home for generations, but a constituent political party in the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, had gone berserk and was on a mission to close down places of religious worship that did not conform to its ideals and beliefs."

This was told by Ravi Karunanayake. Responsible members should not make statements of this nature. I condemn the statement made by Ravi Karunanayake. The Mayor of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia has denied the statement. It appears on the first page of "The Island" newspaper on Thursday, June 7 . The headline states, I quote:

"Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Mayor denies Karunanayake's assertion."

Alhaj A.H.M. Azwer: Sir, even sports is disturbed by such statements. Sir. do not incite the Muslims against the Sinhalese and the Sinhalese against the Muslims. This is the latest tactic adopted by the bankrupt politician of the UNP.

Alhaj A.H.M. Azwer: All assistance must be given to schools so that a healthy society will be created in the country. Play cricket in the proper way; hold the bat straight. I say to people like Ravi Karunanayake, "Do not play foul in the cricket field and also in the political cricket field." Thank you.