Ashraff inclusion in Sri Lanka talks irks Southeastern Muslims

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 February 2006, 16:43 GMT]
The Consortium of South East Muslim Associations has called for a peaceful general shut down Wednesday condemning the Government of Sri Lanka for not allowing a separate Muslim delegation to participate in the two-day peace talk, which is to begin February 22nd in Geneva, Switzerland and for allowing Ms Ferial Ashraff as the sole spokesperson in the talks on behalf of NorthEast Muslims.

Ms Ferial Ashraff is a minister in the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government and also the Leader of the National Unity Alliance (NUA). She was also the wife of late Mr.A.H.M.Ashraff, founder leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and NUA, sources said.

The Consortium has issued a pamphlet Tuesday calling all Muslims to close their business establishments, schools and government offices and to observe a complete general shout bringing the normal life to a standstill, sources said.

The leaflet states:

We are completely deprived of our rights in the Geneva peace talks with the blessings of traitors of our community and those against Islam who want to make Muslims of NorthEast a suppressed community.

The hartal is being called

• To condemn the government for rejecting the demand of the Muslims for a separate delegation in the Geneva peace talks,
• To condemn the silence of Muslim ministers on the demand for a separate delegation,
• To condemn the inclusion of Ms Ferial Ashraff as the sole spokesperson for Muslims in Geneva talks,
• To warn all elements those are inducing division among Muslims as an impediment to achieve their rights.

   

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