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SLMC crisis threatens UNF Government.
By Nilika de Silva
Already in crisis over its inability to strip President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga of her powers, the United National Front Government is now facing a threat to its majority in Parliament.

A crisis within the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), a constituent partner, has now exacerbated with a dissident faction trading serious charges against Norway, currently facilitating the peace process between the Government and the LTTE.

Dissident leader and Minister A.L.M. Athaullah, who is also chairman of the SLMC, charged on Friday that the Norwegian-sponsored peace initiatives by the Sri Lanka Government had failed to give consideration to "Muslims who are one of the two Tamil speaking communities living in the North-East."

Adding concern to Mr. Athaullah's assertions is the fact that the statement is issued on a letter-head of the Minister of Highways, a non Cabinet portfolio which he holds in the UNF Government. Citing what he calls are problems faced by the Muslims in the North-East, Mr. Athaullah asks whether "Norwegians too are causing injustice to the Muslims as India did during its mediation at the time of the implementation of the Indo-Lanka Accord."

"The Norwegian sponsored present peace initiatives by the Sri Lankan government too have failed in giving due consideration for the aspirations of the Muslims who are one of the two Tamil speaking communities living in the North East," Mr. Athaullah said in his statement.

Mr. Athaullah's dissident group comprises at least four SLMC Parliamentarians. A further four are said to support him. Their pullout from the SLMC would mean the UNF Government's number in Parliament will reduce from the present 114 to 109 thus threatening to make it a minority Government - a move that will be a devastating blow in view of the ongoing peace process.

Mr. Athaullah last night, speaking to The Sunday Times from Ampara, claimed that all nine SLMC rebel MPs were on his side.

Responding to these developments, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, yesterday summoned his district organisers. He was to brief them on the party's position.

Mr. Hakeem told The Sunday Times he would explain to his party organisers it was not the appropriate time to make demands from the Government. He said it had already agreed to discuss various issues concerning Muslims in the Eastern Province.

He charged that "there are others trying to capitalise on the situation." Though he did not identify who they were, other SLMC sources claimed a former PA minister was behind the move.

"We will be only pushing the government into a difficult position and losing our leverage to bargain," Mr. Hakeem said.

During an eight-hour meeting, Mr Hakeem urged the district organisers to convince the members at grassroots level that this was not the time for boycotting parliament.

"It is only through parliamentary representation that we can win the rights of the people," Mr. Hakeem told more than 200 district organisers who had been summoned to Colombo for the emergency meeting in the face of the growing crisis.

"We will never give up our demand for self-determination. We will not hesitate to sacrifice our lives and assets, and will continuously work to achieve this end," he said.

The People's Alliance over the week has been campaigning to gain the support of the members of the SLMC and the Muslim members of parliament from the Eastern province involved in the boycott.

PA spokesman Sarath Amunugama said there were no 'official negotiations', but confirmed that informal discussions were taking place between the two sides.

"Both the PA and the SLMC have a joint principle on the problem of the Eastern province Muslims," he said.

PA sources said President Kumaratunga accompanied by Mangala Samaraweera had also had discussions with SLMC rebel group leader Athaullah.

However, some of the NUA members who are with the PA are opposed to some of the members of the SLMC dissident group.

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