Ferial Ashraff urges Muslims to show gratitude to President

by Mohammed NAALIR

The forthcoming Presidential Election is an opportunity for the Muslims in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to pay their gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for eliminating terrorism and for creating a peaceful environment, National Unity Alliance (NUA) Leader and Housing and Common Amenities Minister Ferial Ashraff said.

Minister Ashraff said the people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces have been freed from LTTE terrorism after nearly 30 years.

The Muslims in the Eastern Province indulge in business activities in 'Tamil areas' without any fear now, while the Tamil people in the Province are able to go to the 'Muslim areas' for business purposes.

Minister Ashraff was addressing supporters of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress who had joined the NUA to assure the victory of President Rajapaksa. She said houses and other valuable properties of the Muslims in Kalmunai, Akkaraipattu, Sammanthurai, Maligaikadu and other areas were destroyed by the LTTE.

The people in the Eastern Province were forced to pay ransom to the LTTE. They were compelled to hide in their homes after 6 p.m. due to LTTE threats.

Based on the promise to eradicate LTTE terrorism, the Muslims in the Ampara District supported Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005. As promised, he eradicated LTTE terrorism, she said.

The Sinhalese have lined up with President Rajapaksa to assure his victory. The Muslims of this country too must join hands with them to assure his victory on the 26th, she said.