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Last week, representatives of Muslim civil society and its leaders reiterated their demand for a 'separate independent delegation' at any future talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The collective decision to demand a separate delegation was taken at a meeting organised by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka held at the Hotel Taj Samudra on March 07, a press release issued by the council said.

Among those present at the meeting were National United Alliance leader Minister Ferial Ashraff who was also a member of the government delegation at the Geneva talks, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem, Minister Rishad Bathiyudeen, Deputy Minister Hussain Bhaila, Presidential Adviser A. H. M. Azwer and several others.

Minister Ashraff briefed the participants on the discussions she had with the LTTE delegation with special references to the Muslims' concerns. The SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem spoke on the experience he had in dealing with the LTTE members during peace talks in the past, the release said.

Earlier, Rauff Hakeem was reported to have condemned Ferial Ashraff's decision to participate in the Geneva talks saying it buried the aspirations of all the muslims.

However, Hakeem was not available for comment when contacted by the Sunday Observer

(TS)

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