Untitled Document

Front Page

SLMC rebels meet PM, decision in two days
By Nilika de Silva
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met the rebel SLMC parliamentarians last evening at Temple Trees, and gave them an assurance he would respond to their proposals in two days.

Dissident group leader A. L. M. Athaullah told The Sunday Times last night they had discussed all their proposals at the 75-minute meeting with the Prime Minister but would not call off their three-week boycott of parliament till they got a firm written assurance on their demands.

Mr. Athaullah was accompanied by parliamentarians Noordeen Mashoor, Anver Ismail, H.M.M. Harris, M.B.A. Aziz and Rishad Badiudeen at yesterday's crucial meeting to break the deadlock in a crisis that has shaken and broken up the main Muslim party.

Mr. Athaullah said SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem was away in Kandy and did not attend yesterday's meeting as the Prime Minister had wanted to meet only the dissidents.

The dissident MPs are seeking an assurance on a separate administrative unit for eastern Muslims when a solution is worked out to the ethnic conflict. They are also seeking firm guarantees regarding the rights and security of Muslims in parts of the North-East.

The meeting with the Premier was earlier scheduled for Friday but it was called off with Mr. Athaullah saying three of the MPs in his group were away in the east.

The conflict among Muslim MPs was further confused when NUA leader Ferial Ashraff and two MPs of her party staged what they described as a token one-day boycott of parliament on Friday in support of the demands of the Muslims.

Ms. Ashraff who left for the east on Friday told The Sunday Times they would explain the situation to the people there and the people would do the talking.

Ms. Ashraff and her two MPs had met the Prime Minister recently amidst reports they were moving towards a more cooperative attitude with the government.

Back to Front Page