Muslim leaders’ resignation attempt to distract from terror investigations: SLPP

• Says resignations a diversion to protect those responsible for Easter Sunday attacks
• Claims Muslim leaders stepping down diverts attention for NCM against Bathiudeen
• Charges mass resignation scripted drama by Govt.
• Insists resignations were only demanded from Salley, Hizbullah and Bathiudeen 
• Insists SLPP has not blamed any other Muslim leaders or community 

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday dismissed the resignations of Muslim Government leaders as an act to shield those responsible for Easter Sunday attacks and gain political advantage from the prevailing situation.

Eight Muslim members of the Government resigned from their posts on Monday saying it was an effort to allow impartial investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. They gave the Government one month to conclude investigations and clear them of any wrongdoing.

Speaking to media at the SLPP Head Office in Battaramulla, MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the mass resignation of Muslim members of the Government was an act to divert attention from the No-Confidence Motion handed over to the Speaker against former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

“The mass resignation of Muslim members of the Government will divert attention from the ongoing investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks. The allegations were only levelled against Bathiudeen, Western Province Governor Azath Salley and Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M Hizbullah. No one accused all Muslim members of the Government or the Muslim community as a whole,” he said.

Yapa argued the mass resignation would not provide permanent solutions to ethnic tensions as it would be viewed by the public as an effort by the Muslim Government members to shield the real culprits who had links with terror groups responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. The SLPP members insisted their movement was not against the Muslim community in the country or other Muslim leaders but only targeted at those suspected to have links with terrorists.

“United National Party (UNP) Chairman Kabir Hashim is a well-respected Muslim politician and most of the Muslim members of the Government are well-respected by the Sinhala community, therefore I do not see any reason for them to resign because no one pointed a finger at them. I think this is a scripted political drama by the UNP to divert public attention.”

Yapa argued the Government had failed to understand the importance of national security and only considered how it could gain political advantages by using national security. He claimed the country’s biggest challenge was national security at the moment and the Government should make it its priority. He pointed out that instead of mass resignation of Muslim members, the Government should have taken measures to tighten security.

“The Government acted in a very irresponsible manner and it is trying to divert the whole issue down a different path that will let those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks go free and they will re-emerge in a different manner.”

Yapa argued that Muslim members of the Government could not give a specific timeframe to complete investigations into the Easter Sunday attack and the investigating officers should be given the freedom to conduct investigations impartially. “They should be given indefinite time for their investigations.”

Yapa urged the public to be cautious of Government actions and act calmly to prevent any tensions between communities. He stressed that only a peaceful approach would provide a comprehensive solution to recent developments in the country.