Rift within the SLMC?

By Rukshana Rizwie

The unexplained absence of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Secretary, M.T. Hassan Ali, has led to speculation of an internal rift within the party, which may lead to the expulsion of the Secretary and Segu Dawood.

Former Muslim Congress Colombo District Parliamentarian Shafeek Rajabdeen told the Sunday Observer that an explanation would be called from party secretary for his noticeable absence at the SLMC 19th National Convention which was held in Ampara on yesterday, March 19.

Rajabdeen dismissed speculation that the individuals were to be expelled from the party. "We are concerned about the absence of Hassan Ali and would like to see what happens at the next high command meeting."

Hassan Ali and Segu Dawood have drawn the flak from members of the SLMC and the public after the latter publicly called for a separate province for Muslims. Later Hassan Ali defended Segu Dawood saying that he had never talked of a separate State but only about a separate Province with a Muslim majority centered round the Ampara District.