The Mahanayake Thera said that the Muslim community has been living in Sri Lanka in brotherhood with the Sinhala community for centuries and this bond should continue. “We should not forget that we are all humans though we belong to different races and religions. People of all communities should live in harmony irrespective of racial or religious differences,” the Mahanayake Thera said.
The Mahanayake Theras made these observations when a group of Muslim ministers who had resigned from their Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministerial posts called on the Nayaka Theras at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya in Kandy yesterday. They arrived at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya yesterday to apprise the Mahanayaka Theras and the Maha Sangha about the reasons that led them to resign from their positions. Anunayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya, Most Ven.Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, representing the Malwatte Chapter participated in the meeting.
The Mahanayake Thera expressed his happiness over the ex-Ministers’ arrival at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya to discuss their issues following the Maha Sangha leaders’ previous statement that the mass resignation of Muslim ministers, including those who faced a barrage of allegations, was wrong.Anunayake of Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera said that many sections in the country including members of the Maha Sangha had expressed views over the resignation of Muslim ministers from the government.
“Muslims have been representing the government since the State Council was in existence in the country. Members of Muslim Community had made many sacrifices for the country from the time of the Portuguese, Dutch and English up to the last Sinhala King, the Anunayake Thera said. The Anunayake Thera said former Foreign Minister A.C.S. Hameed represented the Harispattu electorate in Parliament for 48 years and he won the hearts of Sinhala people too. Ven.Vijithasiri Thera said that the Easter Sunday attacks took place when there was an apparent clash between the Legislature and the Executive.
The Thera said that Sri Lanka will have to face consequences, as the resignation of Muslim Ministers from the government was not favourable to the country’s image internationally. Lekakadhikari of Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Medagama Dhammanada Thera said the decision should be taken with regard to Madrasa schools, Sharia university after having discussions with all stakeholders. The Thera said that the co-operation of Muslim ministers was also required on issues such as the Common Marriage Law. Former Ministers A.H.M.Fowzie, Rauff Hakeem, M.H.A.Haleem, Rishard Bathiudeen, Ameer Ali and MP Faizer Mustapha were present at the meeting.
