SLMC and MR hold crucial talks

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November 30, 2014 

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has had crucial talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the party looks to decide who it will support at the Presidential elections next year.

An SLMC delegation led by SLMC leader and Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem met the President and a government delegation which included Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and detailed to them the core issues faced by the Muslim community in Sri Lanka, an SLMC source said.

The SLMC had also noted some concerns with regards to the Eastern Provincial Council and also discussed other political issues at the talks with the President.

SLMC sources said that it was agreed further talks will take place between a Government delegation and the SLMC following which the SLMC High Command will decide the next step.

The SLMC had yesterday said it will take its time to decide who to support at the Presidential elections scheduled for January next year, SLMC sources said.

Earlier, an SLMC meeting was held on Friday night with the participation of SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem and party members where the election was discussed.

Sources said that at that meeting there was a split on who the SLMC should support with some backing President Mahinda Rajapaksa and others common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Hakeem had later said at the meeting that there is no rush to decide who to back at the polls and the opinion of the Muslims in Sri Lanka will first be sought before a final decision is reached. (Colombo Gazette)