By Azra Ameen
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Bathiudeen vowed to step down from the government if President Mahinda Rajapaksa fails to address the issues faced by the Muslim community.
Bathiudeen said the request was made to the President to form an inter-ministerial committee to solve the issues that are currently affecting the Muslim community in Sir Lanka.
“This was brought forward at the Cabinet meeting recently since the present situation of the Muslims in the country is unfortunate. The problem of demolishing the Dambulla and Dehiwala mosques are just dragging and no proper solution has been taken by the government. Due to this more problems of that sort have risen,” he said.
However, according to Bathiudeen, President has not agreed to form an inter-ministerial committee, but the President will be forming an all party committee to solve the repeated issues that are taking place against mosques.
He also said, the continuous attacks made on the mosques and other Muslim religious institution in the country is quite disrespectful and has violated the rights of the Muslims in the country.
He also believes these attacks are raised by anti-government conspirators who are waiting to ruin the peace and harmony in the country. And who are waiting to create racial issues within the communities, which the government is failing to address.
