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Hakeem quits government

Speculation rife that more would join opposition today

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has decided to quit the government, putting Friday`s crucial budget vote in further balance.
SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem told The Bottom Line that the decision was taken to preserve dignity and to respect the wishes of the Muslim community.

The decision is sequel to a crucial high command meeting which was held last evening. All six SLMC members in parliament are expected to crossover to the opposition today.

The Bottom Line reliably learns that the SLMC Leader had come under severe pressure from his fellow members during the past week. They had urged Hakeem to pull out of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa led administration owing to the government`s failure to address burning issues concerning the Muslim community.

?The party leadership has been under immense pressure from both the SLMC stalwarts and representatives from the grass root level. Those carrying grievances have highlighted that the government has failed to deliver regarding the issues of the Muslim community. They point out that these issues regarding Muslims continue to be overlooked,? sources said last night.

It is reliably learnt that despite several meetings between SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem and Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, the party had been forced to quit the government in the absence of a breakthrough in discussions.

The government`s failure to return 5000 acres of land belonging to Muslims, which were taken over by the Environment Ministry and the failure to amend laws on the ban on noise pollution along with issues relating to portfolios have been identified as some of the problems which have been plaguing the Muslim community.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that two more parliamentarians would cross over to the opposition today.