Muslim parliamentarians meet Sri Lanka's PM

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 February 2003, 02:30 GMT]
A delegation of Muslim parliamentarians Thursday requested Sri Lanka's Prime Minister (PM), Ranil Wickremasinghe, for an opportunity for the Muslims to participate as an independent group in the peace talks now being held between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), sources said.

The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the Minister in the United National Front government Mr.Rauff Hakim led the Muslim delegation. The discussion between the Prime Minister and the Muslim delegation was held at the PM's official residence, Temple Tress, sources said.

It was decided at the discussion to hold further talks on the subject on the return of the Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe from India, SLMC sources said.

Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe Thursday evening left for India on a three-day official visit, PM office said.

Minister Mr. Noorden Mashoor said the Prime Minister has given an assurance that his government will table a proposal that will satisfy the aspirations of Muslims in the northeast.

The National Unity Alliance President and former Minister Ms Ferial Ashraff, Mr. M.L.A.M.Hisbullah, Mr Noordeen Mashoor and Dr.A.L.M.Hafrath participated in Thursday talks with the Prime Minister, sources said.