The unexplained absence of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) secretary M.T Hassan Ali at the party's National Convention in Ampara has caused rumours of an internal rift within the party, amidst speculation of a probable expulsion of two party members. Former Muslim Congress Colombo District Parliamentarian Shafeek Rajabdeen said an explanation would be called from the party secretary for his noticeable absence at the SLMC 19th National Convention in Ampara on Saturday. President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan were present at the convention held in Palamunai.
Rajabdeen dismissed rumors that the individuals were to be expelled from the party. "We are concerned about the absence of Hassan Ali and would like to see what happens at the next high command meeting," he said. Both Hassan Ali and Segu Dawood have drawn the flak from members of the SLMC and the public after the latter publicly called for a separate province for Muslims. Hassan Ali later defended Segu Dawood saying that he had never spoke of a separate state but only about a separate province with a Muslim majority centered round the Ampara district.
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