News

Absence of Muslim representation in Cabinet raised

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/9

Left-Right: M M Zuhair PC, T K Azoor, Ash Sheikh S.H.M. Faleel, Tilvin Silva, Rasheed M. Imthiyaz, Javid Yusuf, Ash Sheikh I.N Ikram

JVP-NSC powwow:

JVP Secretary Tilva Silva has assured the National Shoora Council (NSC) that the NPP government has zero tolerance for racism and recent arrests of individuals involved in inciting racial hatred proved the government’s progressive stance. Silva has emphasized that the government respects the religious, linguistic, and cultural identities of all communities.

A senior delegation from NSC recently met the JVP Secretary at the JVP headquarters at Battaramulla for a discussion.

Silva has underscored the significance of support received by the NPP from all communities in the last general election.

The meeting was facilitated by Deputy Minister Sheikh Muneer Mulaffer at the request of the NSC.

The delegation comprised the President of the National Shoora Council, Ash Sheikh S. H. M. Faleel, NSC General Secretary Attorney-at-Law Rasheed M. Imthiyaz, President’s Counsel and former MP M. M. Zuhair, former President of NSC, Attorney-at-Law T.K. Azoor and NSC Vice President, former Ambassador, Senior Attorney-at-Law Javid Yusuf, NPP’s National Executive and steering committee member Ash Sheikh I. N. Ikram also participated in the meeting.

The following issues were taken up for discussions:

The NSC delegation assured the community’s support for addressing on a priority basis the economic hardships suffered by the Sri Lankan people and stressed the need for prioritising solutions as recommended in the 27-point requests the NSC had made in its memorandum submitted to notable presidential candidates, including the NPP.

The delegation underscored the presence of skilled professionals, business leaders and experienced intellectuals within the Muslim community who could serve the country in all fields including, education, economics, and politics. They expressed the Council’s willingness to facilitate consultations with vital segments and organisations within the community for the country’s progress as well as to resolve the specific concerns of the community.

The delegation highlighted the concerns in the Muslim community regarding the absence of Muslim representation in the key national decision-making body, the Cabinet. They pointed out that it had become the subject of critical evaluation within the community and needed to be addressed.

Noting that over two million Sri Lankans are employed in Arab and Islamic countries, contributing more than 85% of LKR 6 billion annually in foreign remittances, the delegation stressed the importance of maintaining strong relationships with these nations. They called for efforts to attract investment from these countries to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

The delegation reaffirmed the Muslim community’s unwavering commitment to national unity and territorial integrity. They highlighted the suffering endured by Muslims in the Northern and Eastern provinces due to ethnic conflicts and noted that Muslims have never supported separatist movements. They emphasized the importance of addressing issues affecting displaced Muslims still living in camps.

The delegation noted the government’s concerns in tackling racism and pointed out that these issues must be resolved through education, dialogue and reconciliation and not by introducing tougher laws.

The Council outlined its objectives, structure, and past activities, recalling a 27-point proposal submitted to the NPP before the presidential election. They expressed readiness for further dialogue on these proposals. A file containing a copy of the proposal, together with a congratulatory message sent to Anura Kumara Dissanayake upon his election as President and an introductory document about the National Shoora Council was handed over to Tilvin Silva.

The delegation highlighted their past peace-building efforts, particularly the close collaboration of Deputy Minister Sheikh Muneer Mulaffer with the National Shoora Council on interfaith harmony projects. They reiterated their willingness to continue such initiatives in the future.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

News

Maldives and Sri Lanka exchange seven MOUs

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/4

Priyan

Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.

Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.

Accordingly:

1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).

6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.

The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.

Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.

[President’s Media Division]