All are equal under one Sri Lankan identity - PM

Mohammed Naalir

The Government considers all communities as equal under one Sri Lankan identity devoid of race, caste and religious differences, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said yesterday.

He said the Government under the Mahinda Chinthana concept has taken steps to bridge the gap between all communities recognising their unique diversity.

The Premier noted that this means bridging the gap between diversed ethnic groups to establish peace and amity among them..

He was was speaking at the Haj celebrations at his office organised by his staff along with the Religious Affairs Ministry.

The Prime Minister said as a real Buddhist he followed the preachings of the Buddha and upheld the precepts to bestow respect and compassion towards communities.

He said the begining of the year his office has held several religious events including Thai Pongal celebrations.

Plans are afoot to hold Christmas celebrations as a move to foster goodwill and understanding with the Christian community as well.

Moulavi Lafir said despite various conspiracies none could break the centuries old mutual relationship between Muslims and Sinhalese .

It is being strengthened day by day he claimed.

He said that along side the Sinhalese, Muslims also played a pivotal role in protecting the sovereignty and dignity of Sri Lanka.

Moulavi Lafir noted that the Muslims held several high ranking positions even as foreign emissaries during the time of Sinhala kings.

He said when the Muslims in Jaffna and Mannar were forcibly evicted by the LTTE within 24 hours the Sinhalese in the South came to their rescue . Still they are assisting the Muslims in various ways.

The LTTE is displaying their communalism by forcibly evicting Muslims from Muttur but the Sinhalese were always helpful to the Muslims, he noted.

Ihsania Arabic College Principal, Moulavi Niyas said all religions preached the same philosophy of unity and harmony and urged the people to refrain from committing the wrongs.

He said it was important to give prominence to religious activities.

"All must unite to bring peace and to eliminate terrorism from our motherland" he said.

Religious Affairs Minister Pandu Bandaranayake, Deputy Tourism Minister Faizer Musthapa, President's Advisor A.H.M. Azwer, Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Co-operative Minister Najeeb A Majeed, Petrolium, Petrolium Resources Development Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Risath Bathiudeen and Sri Lanka Saria Council President and Galle BIA College Director Moulavi Hasbulla also were present.