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SLMC MPs await PM's assurance by Ranil Wijayapala October 28 Dailynews: The leader of the SLMC rebel group and Highways Minister A.L.M. Athaullah yesterday reiterated their support to the Government but was still awaiting a assurance from the Prime Minister for their demands. Minister Athaullah told the Daily News that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assured a solution to their demands will soon be presented after consultation with representatives of the Government. "The nine MPs still stick to their decision to boycott Parliament until Prime Minister makes a statement over the five demands forwarded by them. But we have no reason to quit the Government," the Minister added. Minister Athaullah said they have forwarded five demands to the Prime Minister at this discussion. The Prime Minister also agreed with them that the problems of Muslims were disregarded at the signing of the Indo Lanka Peace Accord in 1987. He said though some MPs attend Parliament they will not be present there to vote. They attend Parliament as they will be deprived of the seat if they do not attend Parliament for three months, he added. He said the SLMC leader and Minister Rauff Hakeem and the SLMC High Command had also decided that boycotting Parliament is a correct decision for the sake of Muslims in the East. "We hope that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will present his stance over the five demands of the SLMC MPs before the second round of talks in Thailand and before the budget debate commences in Parliament," he added. However, he said they have no faith in Thailand peace talks. The nine SLMC are boycotting Parliament demanding that the Prime Minister should make a statement whether the Government is planning to merge the North and East which is now temporarily merged, as a solution to the North East crisis. They also demand a separate region for Muslims if the North and East is permanently merged as a solution. The third demand include that the Muslims should also be given an interim administration if the Government agrees to give an interim administration for the Tamils after merging the North and East. The Muslims should also be given a separate security system in the North and East. The Muslims should also be given a place in the Joint Task Force. (28/10/02 go2lanka.com) |