SLMC’s model of devolution for Muslims

by P. Krishnaswamy

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will submit a proposal to the Constitutional Assembly for a unit of devolution for the Muslims of the North and the East based on party founder leader, M.H.M. Ashraff’s demand, SLMC General Secretary M.T. Hasan Ali told the Sunday Observer.

A unit of devolution encompassing the non-contiguous geographic areas of domicile of the Muslims of the two provinces, with power-sharing arrangements on par with the Tamil community, has been the SLMC’s demand from the inception, Hasan Ali said.

The TNA is also making its proposal to be submitted to the Constitutional Assembly, party sources said. The proposal will be based on a unified Northeastern province, within a united Sri Lanka, with unfettered power-sharing arrangements to administer their own affairs.

The TNA has also had a series of consultations with the SLMC on the matter.