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| Sunday, 27 July 2003 |
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NE devolution formula Muslim MPs at loggerheads by P.Krishnaswamy Conflicting views of the constituent parties of the North-East Muslim MPs' Forum have put a spoke into efforts to finalise the devolution formula acceptable to the Muslims of the North and East. The Forum, which two weeks ago expressed willingness to remain part of the unified Northeastern Interim Administration, was expected to hand-over its devolution formula, with provisions for important powers as well as adequate representation, to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. But the Forum, comprising 17 Parliamentarians, was unsuccessful in its efforts to reach a final agreement on the formula, in spite of a series of meetings held in the Parliamentary complex and at other venues over the past fornight, as the constituent parties - the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) led by Minister Rauff Hakeem, the National Unity Alliance (NUA) led by Ms Ferial Ashraff MP, and the Ashraff Congress led by Minister U. L. M. Athaullah - had expressed different views on the subject. The Forum's meetings, however, were not attended by Minister Athaullah, the lone voice opposed to the North-East unification. Athaullah has, both in Parliament and meetings outside, called for a de-merger of the temporarily merged North Eastern province and a separate devolution unit for the Eastern Province. Secretary General of the Forum M. L. A. M. Hisbullah, MP, told the "Sunday Observer" that all the other MPs of the AC attended the meetings of the Forum and supported the unification. UNP Parliamentarian for Digamadulla, My-Own Mustafa, also refused to attend the meetings, demanding that the Forum should be represented by Muslim MPs islandwide. Mr. Hisbullah said that they have appointed a six member sub-committee - two members from each party - to review the different proposals of the constituents and to formulate a common proposal within two weeks. |
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