JEDDAH, 28 July — Work on rebuilding madrasas and mosques destroyed in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka during the two-decade ethnic conflict is expected to start soon.
“I’m hopeful of a favorable response to my request for funds from the Muslim World League and the Islamic Solidarity Fund of the Organization of the Islamic Conference during my meetings today,” M.H. Mohamed, the Indian Ocean island’s minister of western region development, told a press conference at the Consulate General of Sri Lanka here yesterday.
The minister is due to call on Prince Abdullah, the regent, this morning. “Although this will be a courtesy call, I’ll utilize the opportunity to brief him on the return of peace to the island state in the wake of the cease-fire between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and also about the upcoming meeting between the two parties in Bangkok for signing a peace agreement,” said Mohamed.
His visit follows last week’s “highly successful” tour of Ravi Karunanayake, minister of commerce and consumer affairs.
Mohamed, who is a founder member of MWL, said he discussed with MWL Secretary- General Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki and Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Zaid, deputy to the secretary general for mosque affairs, about the extent of work involved in resettling and rehabilitating the Muslim community in northern Sri Lanka, especially in Jaffna and Mannar districts.
“We need to rebuild 15 mosques in Jaffna district and 30 to 35 others in Mannar ,” said the minister, who was accompanied by Ambassador Ibrahim Sahib Ansar and Consul General A.C.M. Ibrahim.
“In fact, the resettlement and rehabilitation plan involves 5,000 Muslim families in Jaffna district alone. The plan covers roads and other infrastructure aside from schools and mosques,” said Mohamed who has served the country as parliament speaker and also held portfolios of labor, employment, transport, railway, industry, Muslim affairs as minister.
“We’re also seeking loans from the Saudi Fund for Development for the Mahavali hydroelectric and neurotrauma projects,” he said.
“The island’s Muslims are happy about the peaceful steps taken by the government to end the civil war, especially the role played by the special committee of parliament members constituted under my chairmanship to assist Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to achieve the objective of reaching a final peace agreement in Bangkok,” Mohamed said.
He said he was optimistic about the Bangkok meeting.
“My view is there will be no division of the island state. At best there will be a power-sharing arrangement between the two parties. In fact, every Sri Lankan welcomes the peace proposal that is to be discussed and inked in Bangkok.”
