Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has shown his displeasure over the decision taken by Muslim Ministers, Deputy Ministers and State Ministers to step down from their ministerial positions at a discussion held with a few Muslim leaders yesterday (8) at his official residence in Wijerama Mawatha,Colombo 7.
Following the hunger strike of Ven. Athuraluye Rathana Thera and resignations of Western and Eastern province governors, Azath Sally and A.L.M.A. Hizbullah all Muslim Ministers, Deputy Ministers and State Ministers tendered their resignation on June 3.
“Former President and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his concerns over the decision taken by Muslim ministers. He said that he does not approve their pronouncement,” UPFA Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Observer.
“However, Muslim ministers explained the background to their decision. They said that they were concerned whether there would be violence soon after the end of Rathana Thera’s hunger strike unless they did not resign from their posts” said Gunawardena who also participated in the discussion.
Meeting with the Opposition Leader had been another step of a series of meetings that Muslim politicians are going to hold in a bid to clarify their decision to give up ministries.
“During our meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, we extensively discussed how to go forward by ensuring peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. We told him that we need his help in this process. Politics was not discussed” former minister Rishad Bathiudeen told Sunday Observer yesterday.
Former ministers, Rauff Hakeem, Rishard Bathiudeen, State Ministers, Ameer Ali, Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana, H.M.M. Harees and Deputy Minister Abdullah Maharoof and UPFA Parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie were present at the discussion.