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| Sunday, 21 September 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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M. H. M. Ashraff a noble son of Sri Lanka - President by P. Krishnaswamy President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, in a unique tribute to late M. H. M. Ashraff, founder leader of two political parties in the East - the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the National Unity Alliance (NUA), said that he was a noble son of Sri Lanka and a politician of rare calibre, incomparable to any she had come across in her political career. He was a great champion of the Muslims' cause, fought for their rights but was not guided by a narrow communal outlook, she said, adding that, he believed in a united Sri Lanka and placed his demands fairly and squarely under a united Sri Lanka. The President said so at a ceremony in connection with the issue of a commemorative stamp and first day cover to mark the third death anniversary of M.H.M. Ashraff, held at the Inter Continental Hotel, Colombo, on Thursday. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, NUA leader Ms. Ferial Ashraff, MP, the late leader's widow and son Aman Ashraff were guests-of-honour on the occasion chaired by SLMC leader Minister Rauff Hakeem. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Mr.Ashraff's tragic death had deprived the country of a great leader who believed in a united Sri Lanka. Mr. Ashraff formed a political party, the SLMC, to articulate the aspirations and identity of the Muslims but also formed the NUA on his convictions on communal unity. Minister Rauff Hakeem said that Mr. Ashraff's untimely death had left a big void, very difficult to fill. The first-day cover was cancelled by Kumar Abeysinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media in the absence of the Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar who was out of the country. |
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