ACMC expels Ali Sabri Raheem

The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), led by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, decided to expel MP Ali Sabri Raheem from the party yesterday due to allegations of his involvement in gold and mobile phone smuggling into the country.

According to ACMC Chairman M.S.S. Ameer Ali, the party’s decision to remove MP Ali Sabri Raheem from its membership came after a thorough investigation initiated by the party’s disciplinary committee.

In a statement, the ACMC Chairman said that the party’s leadership determined that MP Raheem’s actions, involving the smuggling of gold and mobile phones, have tarnished the reputation of the ACMC. He said such behaviour is in opposition to the expected conduct of a Member of Parliament representing the ACMC and is considered a grave violation of the party’s disciplinary standards.

“It should be pointed out that as per the Electoral Agreement signed between the ACMC and Muslim National Alliance (MNA) during the last General Elections, MP Raheem contested under the symbol of the MNA,” he noted. 

The ACMC Chairman said the notice of expulsion has been conveyed to both Raheem and MNA Secretary General Masihudeen Naeemullah. He expressed his hope that the Secretary General of MNA will take prompt action in response to the situation, as previously assured.

In May this year, the MP was arrested by officers of Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to illegally enter the country with an undeclared haul of gold and other items. He was fined Rs. 7.5 million by officials and released the next day.