Muslim MPs who resigned to reconsider accepting ministerial posts

Muslim MPs who stepped down from their Cabinet, State and Deputy Minister positions will hold a special meeting in the Parliament complex on Tuesday to consider whether to again accept ministerial posts in the Government.

Former Minister Abdul Haleem told the Sunday Times that the meeting would take place once Parliament sessions resume on Tuesday.

He said the MPs would hold the meeting to discuss an appeal made by the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Nikayas and leading members of the Maha Sangha, urging the Muslim MPs to take up their ministerial portfolios again.

Mr Haleem said they would consider the appeal as the situation in the country had now returned to normal. “We need to come forward to work for the betterment of the country. We have informed all ministers who resigned and they have agreed to come for this discussion.”

The former minister said it was up to relevant law enforcement authorities to investigate various allegations regarding Muslim MPs and find out the truth. “They can take action if there is any wrongdoing,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media after meeting with the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters on Friday, former Minister Kabir Hashim said that they had resigned from their portfolios to pave the way for an impartial inquiry into all allegations. “We have taken this decision for the betterment of the country,” he stressed.

Mr Hashim also said he was prepared to resume duties as a minister if his supporters requested him to do so.

All Muslim MPs stepped down from their ministerial posts following a fast unto death launched by Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera. Accordingly Cabinet Minister Rauff Hakeem, Kabir Hashim, Rishad Bathiudeen and Abdul Haleem, State Ministers Faizal Cassim, Mohamed Harees, Ali Zahir Moulana and Amir Ali as well as Deputy Minister Abdullah Maharoof resigned from their positions.