A Muslim Deputy Leader of the Colombo District has threatened to quit government in protest of the Bodu Bala Sena’s support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Highly placed sources of the opposition told Asian Mirror that the Deputy Minister had indicated his dissatisfaction to the Common Opposition. The Deputy Minister was a strong critique of the BBS and he had told his close associates that there was no point in being a member of the government if the BBS is also on the same side. The Deputy Minister had also said that such an act would not be in accordance with his conscience.

However, political sources told Asian Mirror on Friday evening that the Deputy Minister’s crossover has not been finalized so far. This Muslim representative, over the past few years, was used by certain top echelons of the government as a “troubleshooter” whether the issues of the Muslim community were concerned.

Although BBS General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera says that the BBS does not openly extend its support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the views expressed by the hardcore Sinhala-Buddhist organization are very much in favour of the incumbent President. The organization has stated in no uncertain terms that it would make its fullest attempt to defeat the political campaign of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“What we have stated is that there is an international conspiracy to destroy Sri Lanka and we have stressed the need of defeating that. It is the people who should make the final decision. We are only raising awareness on the conspiracy,” Gnanasara Thera said.

The BBS also dubs President Rajapaksa is the leader who rescued the country from the grip of terrorism.

However, ACMC, a Muslim party led by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, has already pledged its support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, despite the BBS’s support to the incumbent. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, another ally of the UPFA government, is yet to make a decision on the matter.