Sirisena victory reflects country’s true values: Bathiudeen

Monday, 12 January 2015 01:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says new President was first to stand by the Muslim community A large audience packed The Excellency Hotel for an event organised by members of the Muslim community of Colombo last night to honour Rishad Bathiudeen for standing up for them by sacrificing his ministerial position. “The vote for Maithripala

Sirisena across the country was a reflection of the true values of a typical Sri Lankan who wants a culture which is law-abiding, practices good governance, equality in business and gives equal rights to any religion and race,” Bathiudeen said. “Now the challenge is for each of us to support President Sirisena and stand by these values of a true Muslim,” he added. Bathuideen was the first Muslim cabinet minister in the Rajapaksa regime to quit his ministerial portfolio and join President Sirisena. Some political analysts commented that this high profile crossover added significant momentum to the Sirisena campaign. Bathiudeen was responsible for championing the districts of Mannar, Mullativu, Batticaloa, Vavuniya and Muttur for a land slide victory in favour of Sirisena. The chief figures of the Sirisena campaign, Rajitha Seneviratne and Champika Ranawaka, made special reference to Bathiudeen at the ceremonial appointment of the President at Independence Square. Bathiudeen was ranked among the top 500 most influential Muslims globally and headed the ministry of Trade and Commerce of the Sri Lankan Government for over three years and managed the global business and trade community at a time when Sri Lanka was challenged internationally on human rights issues. He was also responsible for export revenue crossing a billion dollars in a single month and for a record export performance in 2014.