Saturday, 8 March 2014 00:00
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Magistrate sets aside order after mosque trustees file appeal
The Gangodawila Magistrate yesterday reversed its order on the Kadawatha Road mosque in Dehiwala and permitted the reopening of the premises, following an appeal lodged by the masjid’s trustees.
The Magistrate ordered the closure of the mosque on Tuesday (4) after police filed a public nuisance complaint against the premises and claimed it was operating without authorisation from the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs.
However lawyers appearing on behalf of the mosque trustees led by M.M. Zuhair President’s Counsel, argued that the mosque was operating with Wakf board approval, the legal authority vested with power to register mosques.
The lawyers also pointed out that the mosque was in no way causing problems for the public since it did not even have a public address system.
In setting aside the order, the Gangodawila Magistrate noted that a Ministry circular cannot supersede the authority of the Wakf board.
A 2010 Ministry circular insists that places of religious worship must be registered with the Ministry if they are to be allowed to function. (DB)
