^{Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem at the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) press conference in Colombo today. (Pic by Sanjeewa Lasantha)}


The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) says that if the Dambulla mosque is removed from its current location in the Buddhist sacred zone, it does not expect an alternate land from the government.

SLMC Leader and Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem, speaking at a press conference today (30), urged the government to provide an appropriate solution to the issue, which has spurred controversy recently.

Pointing out that everybody has admitted to the fact that the mosque in Dambulla has been located there since 1963, Hakeem stated that the situation has now developed into an extremely chaotic problem due to the unwanted conflict created and the attempt to forcefully remove the mosque.

Therefore he expressed the standpoint of the SLMC is that they do not expect an alternate land in any way. “We have the self confidence to find a necessary land by even begging if we have to.”

If in any manner the mosque is removed by force, we do not expect an alternate land from the government, he reiterated.

Dispute over the location of the mosque arose when Buddhist and lay supporters protested in front od the mosque in Dambulla on April 20 demanding its immediate removal as it is located within the Buddhist sacred zone.

Muslims groups voiced their objection to the demand and the Prime Minister’s subsequent decision to relocate it to an appropriate location.

Muslim members of the ruling government, including Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana also objected to the proposal while the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress on Saturday said it will only abide by a judicial review on the matter.

Minister Hakeem had said that the SLMC would not agree to move the mosque from its current location as proposed by the Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne. (AdaDerana)