Power struggle for SLMC leadership takes new turn

[TamilNet, Monday, 13 August 2001, 19:03 GMT]
The power struggle in the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress took a dramatic turn Monday when the Colombo District Judge Mr.Sunil Rajapakse issued an enjoining order restraining Mr.M.L.A.M. Hisbullah from representing or acting as the President of the SLMC. The District Judge issued the order according to the plaint by the General Secretary of the SLMC (Hakeem wing), Mr.A.L.M.Haffrath.

Mr. Haffrath in his plaint stated that Mr.Rauff Hakeem is the leader of the SLMC elected by its politburo. He supported his claims by submitting necessary documents to say that Mr.Hakeem was elected by the SLMC politburo. Taking this into consideration, the District Judge issued the interim injunction order and gave notice to the respondent to appear on August 27.

Mr.M.L.A.M.Hisbullah last week met the Commissioner of Elections and submitted documents claiming that he was the legal leader of the SLMC. He said that he had been elected leader of the party by a majority of Politburo members.

The Hakeem and Hisbullah wings of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress held special delegates' conferences in the eastern province last weekend, each claiming the leadership of the party.

At the conference held at Sammanthurai, Mr.Rauff Hakeem produced a list of forty politburo members, who, he claimed, were fully backing him. But Mr.Hisbullah at his SLMC delegates conference held at Akkaraipattu, dismissed this claim, stating that persons who were supporting Mr.Hakeem were not legal members but his supporters.