Mahinda in pow-wow with UPFA Muslim reps. over BBS

In a fresh attempt to defuse religious tensions rising in the country, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has vowed to prevent the breakdown of national unity and claimed he was a leader for every ethnic group in the island.

The Government Information Department reported yesterday that the President had made these remarks addressing a meeting organised by Deputy Minister of Economic Promotion Faizer Mustapha at Temple Trees last Friday.



Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Deputy Minister Abdul Cader, Eastern Province Chief Minister Najeed Abdul Majeed, Parliamentarian and Presidential Advisor A.H.M. Azwer and the Mayor of Matale Haleem Kareem were in attendance.

The President said the Government was bound to ensure the security of all citizens in the country, irrespective of ethnicity, the Government news portal reported.

He noted that the time come for all communities to live in peace and harmony without fear and suspicion.

Muslim representatives in the Government have expressed concern about the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in the country leading to several untoward incidents, as a result of a virulent campaign by hard-line Sinhala groups.