Muslim ministers who resigned meet Mahanayake of Asgiriya Chapter

Colombo (News 1st): The group of Muslim Ministers who resigned from their ministerial positions met with the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero and the Maha Sangha. The meeting held at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya was also attended by the Anunanayke of the Malwatte Chapter Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijitha Siri Thero and the Maha Sangha. Former Ministers who represent a number of parties were led by A.H.M. Fowzi. Minister Rauff Hakeem noted that their advice is valued and although they have no intention of acting against their advice, at this moment they (Muslim Ministers) have a responsibility to act according to the decision that they made without creating a wrong impression about it among the general public. He noted they made this sacrifice for a small period of time to create long-lasting peace. Venerable Niyangoda Vijitha Siri Thero said their intention would have been to resign as a group of Muslim MPs and allow for the investigations to be conducted, but the country saw it as if against a backdrop where there were allegations levelled against certain ministers and governors, and when there was a public opinion building up calling for their resignation or removal, all the ministers united and resigned together. Responding to this A.H.M. Fowzi said if any accusations are proved against anyone action must be taken against them. If not this story is being twisted every day. The theros noted;

"There will be several proposals that are put forward by the Reverend Theros in the future. If you are of the opinion that this needs to be solved without being partisan and without going towards extremism, I think this gap will be reduced. We should solve the problems through cordial discussions even in the future."

Rishad Bathiudeen had this to say;

"Some politicians and media say that I am a terrorist. The politicians who are against me are the people who are saying these things. The people who asked me to come to their side during the 52 days with my group and support them are the people who are now saying these things."

The thero noted if there are allegations then there should be investigations and when there are investigations into 3 or 4 of you and when all of you resign there is a suspicion that is created that all of you resigned because you support this. He noted that suspicion is fair.