'Entire Lakderana is for all communities - MP

The Muslims of this country should not subscribe to the theory of a separate homeland. They definitely do have a homeland and that is the entire Lakderana, entire Sri Lanka, from Point Pedro to Dondra.

Member of Parliament A H M Azwer, said addressing a gathering as chief guest at the daham pasel prize distribution ceremony at Unduragoda Vijayananda Vidyalaya in Polgasowita.

The Rev Indrajothi Nayaka Thera presided. Rev Kotapitiye Rahula Thera delivered the Anushasanawa . Dr M Harris Deen of UK graced the occasion as guest of honour. A new computer unit was declared open by MP Azwer who gifted computers through his decentralized budget.

Azwer said, over the centuries, the Muslims in this country have established a close affinity and friendship with the majority Sinhalese people throughout the island. They have learnt to live with amity with the Tamils of this country as well, he said.

He warned against vicious propaganda of the Tamil National Alliance which is making various statements to indicate that the Muslims too should share the benefit of a homeland.

"This is a conspiracy hatched by the TNA to put the lives of the Muslims in jeopardy. "They should carry on with their own business and not cave in the Muslim community and create problems for them". Great men like Dr T B Jayah, Sir Razik Fareed, Dr M C M Kaleel, Dr Badi-ud-din Mahmud have all led the Muslim community in the correct political path and they always stood for a united Sri Lanka.

"This is the political philosophy and the path the Muslim community has chosen throughout history and they would follow the enlightened path of the great Muslim leaders in the future too". So leave us alone as we are quite capable of looking after ourselves," Azwer said. The MP recalled that 100,000 Muslims were driven away from Jaffna. Muslims in Kattandudi, Eravur, Alingipothana and Palliyagodella in the Polonnaruwa District were assassinated by LTTE atrocities. But no one condoned the act of violences unleashed against the Muslims. Now, it is hilarious that the TNA wants the Muslims to join in their struggle.

The Muslims have a distinct identity, culture and way of life. So the TNA need not bother to drag in the Muslims and put them in a quagmire. Muslims know how to look after themselves, win their rights and safeguard their future in the country which is their Motherland too.

Azwer recalled the close relationship Muslims had with the Sinhala community and said his uncle known as Deen Bass of Maharagama was always invited by the Buddhists in the area to open Thorana and Danselas during Vesak.

The Sinhalese also lined up outside him home during the Sinhala New Year festival days to do ganu denu by offering sheaves of betel leaves.

Azwer said it was his friend, Gayan Manjula, a great cricket lover, who induced him to giftcomputers to this Daham Pasela.