ISIS threat to Sri Lanka Rajapakshe’s comments based on unfounded claims of communalists

By Umesh Moramudali and Shaahidah Riza-2016-11-30

UNP Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahman, asserted, that there is no concrete evidence with regard to an ISIS presence in Sri Lanka. In response to certain comments made by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe regarding an ISIS threat to the country, he reiterated, that there is no substantial evidence according to his knowledge, as no one was even arrested. He added that these were claims put forward by an organization which attempts to create a conflict between the Sinhala and Muslim community, and that Rajapakshe merely highlighted these claims. In an interview with Ceylon Today Rahman emphasized the need to investigate the issue more and to engage in discourse with the Muslim MPs in order to ascertain whether there is such a threat, rather than making statements based on the claims of certain organizations which wants to instigate racism.
Excerpts of the interview:

?: Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, recently, said in Parliament that 32 Sri Lankans had left the country to join the ISIS and there was information on extremist Muslims entering the country as teachers and indoctrinating extremism in children. You were one of the MPs who opposed this statement; on what basis did you do so?

A: One part of the statement made by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was a reference to an intelligence report released one and half years ago, which stated that four Sri Lankans had joined the ISIS. Another claim was that some of those who visit Sri Lanka on tourist visas attempt to spread Islam. There is no proper evidence regarding it as far as I know. Nobody was even arrested. These are the claims put forward by organizations which attempt to create a conflict between the Sinhalese and the Muslims. It was those charges or claims which Minister Rajapakshe repeated in Parliament. We wish the Minister had looked deeper into the issue and had a dialogue with the Muslim MPs to ascertain, whether actually there is such a threat, rather than make a statement based on the claims of certain organizations which wants to induce racism. If the government tries to do that the government too would face issues.

Further this is a time in which we are attempting to promote reconciliation, peace and unity; a statement of this nature can be a threat to all of that.

?: Certain organizations claim that there is radicalization among Muslims and there is a threat of extremism in certain areas. As a Muslim MP what do you have to say about that?

A: Well, among every community there can be extremists. We are not denying that. That is universal. In every community there can be a small percentage of extremists. There can also be Tamil extremists. There can be Sinhalese extremists. Similarly, there can be extremists amongst Muslims too. However, the number would be very small as in any other community, therefore, it is absolutely unfair to generalize and claim all Muslims are extremists. Majority of the Muslims are not extremists. We all have a responsibility to defeat those who promote extremism. Then only, can we all live together irrespective of our differences.

?: So you think that there is no ISIS threat to Sri Lanka ?

A: We know that a few months back the Army Commander made a statement that no one from a Sri Lankan Muslim Organization is a part of the ISIS. There is no evidence to prove that Sri Lanka Muslim Organizations are linked to ISIS. State intelligence agency or the Army does not accept that there is a connection between Sri Lankan Muslims and ISIS.

?: In the recent past, there have been a lot of discussions about the Muslim Personal Law reforms. As a Muslim MP how do you feel about this and what is the reaction of the Muslim community to this?

A: This law has been there for more than 50 years. Majority of the Muslim community believe that certain part of the personal law should change. There are discussions in progress to decide which elements of the Muslim Personal Law have to be changed. Religious leaders, civil society representatives and political leaders are involved in these discussions. I think very soon final proposals would be released as to which elements of the Personal Law should be changed.

?: Have you been on any committee on Muslim Personal Law Reforms ?

A: There is a Cabinet subcommittee regarding the matter. As an MP who is in touch with the Muslim community, I am hoping to submit certain proposals to the committee, soon.

?: Have you spoken about the matter of Muslim Personal Law at the party level?

A: Yes. I have been party to the discussions on the matter. We have sat together with religious leaders and political leaders. I have put forward my suggestions as well.

?: It has been almost two years since the government came to power, what is your opinion of this government's journey thus far? Are you satisfied with the budgetary decisions?

A: Well the Budget 2017 had taken initiatives to implement many development projects without putting much of a tax burden on the common man. We must also note that when we were elected, there was a huge accumulated debt burden, due to poor financial management of the previous regime. We have to carry out development activities while paying huge sums as debt repayments every year. This budget had balanced everything and we can expect a lot of development projects to be implemented next year.

Usually, most people in the country expect reliefs from the budget. In fact the political system had made it normal to expect reliefs from the budget. No matter how much we provide as relief as subsidies, the people are not satisfied. We cannot develop the country by providing relief and subsidies. We have not been blessed with resources such as oil and gold. So we have to be cautious about our spending as a government. Therefore, we must act with a long term vision. For social welfare to proceed, the public too should make certain sacrifices.

Given that we are in a post economic depression period and the excessive debt burden, the Budget 2017 is satisfactory.

?: Your political career stemmed from Colombo, so what are the plans of the government to enhance the living standards of the people in the Colombo City?

A: Under the Megapolis Project we will be taking steps to develop the infrastructure of the Colombo City. The major problem in the Colombo city is the housing problem. There aren't adequate houses for the people who live in the city. We have a plan to solve the problem and hoping to provide a house to every low income family in Colombo city. Steps will also be taken to increase the quality of the schools in the city and ensure that every child receives an education. We will construct a few new schools while developing the old ones.

Steps will also be taken to provide self employment to unemployed youth in Colombo. For 20 years the people of Colombo were forgotten, now we will take every possible action to enhance their living standards.

?: It is often claimed that certain parks and buildings, that were renovated during the previous regime are not maintained properly. What do you have to say about this?

A: I admit that there are concerns in this regard. I have also noticed that in some instances. There is a shortcoming in garbage collection. We are hoping to make things better with the assistance of the government. We will set up a stronger mechanism relating to administration to make things better.

?. As a new MP in Parliament, are you happy with the contribution you have made to politics and to the people?

A. I have made an immense contribution in Parliamentary debates. With that experience I hope to represent the concerns of the people to the best of my ability. I also have made a colossal contribution towards the Constitutional Amendment process which is presently underway. I am satisfied and happy about this contribution. We have an immense responsibility towards the people with regard to the development of the country. The public voted for us with much hope. We hope to deliver this development during the next five year span, for the benefit of the people in the Colombo district, and the country as a whole in general.