Colombo: Sri Lanka's main Muslim party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Sunday joined the opposition to oppose President Mahinda Rajapaksa's bid to win a third term.
SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem announced his resignation as justice minister in the Rajapaksa government, Xinhua reported. "I have sent my resignation to the president," he told the media.
The SLMC decision to back opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena followed several rounds of discussions.
Relations between the government and the Muslim community, which makes up about 10 percent of Sri Lanka's 20.4 million population, have been tense due to hardline Buddhist groups.
Earlier this year, Hakeem accused these groups of inciting communal violence in the southern towns of Aluthgama and Beruwala that left two people dead.
The SLMC is the second Muslim party to join the opposition after Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) crossed over last week.
The presidential elections are slated for Jan 8.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
Raj Bhavan sources told IANS that Vohra had written separate letters to the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party which have won 28 and 25 seats respectively in the 87-member assembly...... More
Also Read: BJP wants to rule Kashmir - with Hindu chief minister
Arab and Muslim world needs to invest in creating world-class universities, scientific research institutions, think tanks and media
The Arab and Muslim world needs to invest in creating world-class universities, scientific research institutions, think tanks and media. Isn't it strange that today not a single university or college ..... More
In 2006, the UPA government had announced a Rs.717 crore rehabilitation package for anti-Sikh riots victims after the Nanavati Commission, which was set up to probe the riots, submitted its report. In 2006, the UPA government had announced a Rs.717 crore rehabilitation package for anti ..... More
The Hindu nationalist have constantly dinned into our consciousness that Muslims are separatists, terrorists and communal. There is a suspicion that any political party led and dominated by Muslims would ultimately lead to a second partition of the country.... More
President of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Hyderabad MP while participating in a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the issue of religious conversion urged the BJP government to stop those behind the 'ugly agenda' at the same time stating that the such programs would not scare the Muslims.. .... More
Also Read: Post 'conversion attempt', Agra Muslims are more staunch believers in Islam
Ever since the terror attack took place Dec 16 at a school in Peshawar where over 140 people, mostly children, were killed, hashtags like #PeshawarAttack and #IndiawithPakistan have been trending on Twitter, creating a bridge to connect citizens of the two neighbouring nations...... More
Also Read: Dilip Kumar grieves for hometown Peshawar