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Absence of Muslim representation in Cabinet raised

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.
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President meets Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the 2025 World Governments Summit, met with the Prime Minister of State of Kuwait Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al Ahmad Al Sabah on Tuesday (11) afternoon .
During the discussion, President Disanayake highlighted Sri Lanka’s improved political and financial stability, emphasizing the expanded potentials in investment and tourism sectors.
Both leaders focused on strengthening trade relations and diversifying markets between the two countries. They also discussed the importance of exploring new strategic initiatives to enhance economic cooperation.
President Disanayake expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister and the State of Kuwait for its support in securing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan facility, acknowledging its contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, accompanied the President on this visit.
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AKD’s attention drawn to ITAK’s threat to demolish Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya

By Shamindra Ferdinando
Former Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday said that it was the responsibility of the NPP government to ensure the safety of Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya, Kankesanthurai.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake holding the defence portfolio in addition to being the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces should look into the developing situation, the retired Navy Chief of Staff said.
The ex-lawmaker was responding to Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) leader S. Sritharan’s threat to demolish the Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya unless the government handed over the premises to owners of the land acquired over the years to build the Viharaya.
The warning issued at a media conference held at the Jaffna Press Club recently should also draw the immediate attention of the Parliament, Weeraselera said, stressing that the ruling party as well as other political parties represented in parliament couldn’t turn a blind eye to what he called an explosive development.
Declaring that the ITAK had the backing of the north-based EPDP and TNPF, the ITAK chief has vowed to launch a protest against viharaya and to take over the premises.
Weerasekera said that Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala should take immediate measures to prevent build-up against Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya.
According to him, during his tenure as the Chairman of Oversight Committee on National Security he inquired into the situation therein and addressed the issues at hand. Therefore, the ITAK and other Jaffna-based political parties shouldn’t seek to trigger chaos not only in Jaffna, but in other parts as well.
Responding to another query, Weerasekera, who unsuccessfully contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket, urged the NPP as a political party to take a stand as the north was won by them. The unprecedented defeat suffered by the ITAK at the Nov 2024 general election proved that the vast majority of northerners had rejected separatist agenda pursued by the ITAK etc., and therefore it was trying to incite people, Weerasekera said.
ITAK had conveniently forgotten that it regained the right to represent Tamil speaking people again only after the military had eradicated the LTTE that was recognised by the party way back in 2001 as the sole representative of Tamil speaking people, Weerasekera said, asserting that the planned action against Tissa viharaya could be part of their strategy to regain lost ground in the northern and eastern provinces.
Weerasekera said that the ITAK’s threat reminded him of the violent Pongu Thamil campaign launched in the aftermath of 2002 Ceasefire Accord signed between the then government and the LTTE.
Asked whether he intended to push SLPP to raise the temple issue in Parliament, the former minister answered in the affirmative, saying that all right thinking MPs would oppose the ITAK’s racist move.
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