The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has invited the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) for talks on working together in parliament in order to ensure the rights of the minorities are secured, SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem told Daily Mirror online. The invitation for talks was extended by TNA Leader R. Sampanthan to the SLMC Leader last night.
SLMC Leader Hakeem had accepted the invitation and assured the TNA Leader that he would meet his party for discussions soon after his return to Colombo after the re-poll in Nawalapitiya on April 20.
Hakeem is currently in Kandy campaigning for the re-poll next week.
“Mr. Sampanthan called me last night and asked if we could meet. I assured him I would meet him after I return back to Colombo. The main basis of our meeting would be to strengthen the voice of the minority parties in parliament as there are some chauvinistic opponents in the government who are trying to make some opportunistic amendments,” Hakeem told Daily Mirror online.
He added that the main concerns of the minority parties would be to ensure justice for the minority communities, a climate of equity, fair play and good governance.
Meanwhile when questioned if he was in talks with the government, Hakeem denied stating that he had formed an alliance with the UNP. “I have not been in any talks with the President or anyone else from the government. Neither have I been approached by them. There is going to be no pole vaulting as we have formed an alliance with the UNP,” Hakeem said.
When questioned if he would reconsider joining the government if an invitation was extended by President Mahinda Rajapakse, Hakeem denied maintaining that he would work with the opposition in building the country. “These talks about me joining the government are just a way to tarnish my image before the elections next week. As I have a lot of votes from the UNP voters. I have no such plans. However as an opposition, we would work with the government in rebuilding the nation,” Hakeem said. (Daily Mirror online)
By Jamila Najmuddin
