PM, MUSLIM LEADERS TO DECIDE ON MOSQUE

Three suitable sites in Dambulla town under consideration for relocation

The mosque at the Rangiri Dambulla Sacred area will not be demolished until a final decision is made on a suitable location for its recon

struc- tion, the government assured yesterday.

Women and Childcare Development Deputy Minister M.L.A.M. Hizbullah and Matale district MP Lakshman Wasantha Perera called on Rangiri - Dambulu Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Inamaluwa Sumangala Thera to discuss the situation.

Sources close to Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne told the Daily Mirror the PM would meet Muslim politicians today to select a suitable land to relocate the

mosque

MP Perera said assistance was sought from leaders of the Muslim community in the district to relocate the Mosque.

“The meeting was cordial. The Muslim community was assured that their safety would be guaranteed. Ven. Sumangala Thera made it clear. If the Mosque is to be relocated, we will give our fullest co-operation,” Mr. Perera said.

Also, he said the Ministry of Buddha Sasana had assured to start the work on the Dambulla Sacred Area within the next six months.

Matale Mayor Hilmy Mohamed who also attended this meeting said the problem could be addressed amicably soon despite some elements trying to create disturbances. He said that the issue was being discussed at length with Ven. Thera.

“We will discuss the matter with the leaders of the Muslim leaders further, and arrive at a conclusion,” he said.

At the meeting, Ven. Sumangala Thera noted that not only these mosques but also there are several other unauthorized con

structions lying within the sacred site. Therefore, a separate meeting is scheduled to be taken place soon with representatives of the Urban Development Authority regarding action that has to be against them.

Sources close to Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne told the Daily Mirror the PM would meet Muslim politicians today to select a suitable land to relocate the mosque.

They said the new location would be selected from three lands that had been short listed and that it would be within the Dambulla town itself.

The source said that the Mosque authorities had agreed to the relocation though some interested politicians had tried to turn things to their advantage. “They initially agreed for the relocation realizing it would not be able to keep the Mosque there as long as the authorities of the historical Dambulla Temple were opposed to it.

Meanwhile, All Ceylon Jammiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) President Al-haj Rizvi Mufthi said he had requested the Prime Minister who is also the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs to call for a meeting immediately at the Prime Minister’s office in Colombo.

“We are waiting for his reply” Rizvi Mufthi said.

The Daily Mirror learns that a group of youth had disturbed a meeting between the ACJU and Muslim Ministers which was held on Saturday morning at the Maradana Headquarters in Colombo. The main opposition UNP also called for an amicable settlement based on the principles laid down in both religions.

The party in a statement said assistance of the judiciary should be sought if both parties failed to come to a settlement through peaceful means.

The UNP also highlighted that legal procedure should have been followed in the matter without politicising the issue.