Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem has told his supporters that he would never leave the government, although they have issues that need to be addressed immediately.
The SLMC leader has said that if he leaves the government he would end up being another Azath Salley who has lost his clout in national politics.
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Hakeem has expressed confidence that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will be able to remain in the government and act as an internal pressure group. The SLMC Leader is of the view that the party should continue to be a stakeholder of the United People's Freedom Alliance in order to resolve the issues faced by the Muslim community of Sri Lanka.
However, there is a strong difference of opinion in the party over the matter. A large section of the party is of the belief that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress should step out of the government in protest of recent attacks against Muslims in Beruwala, Aluthgama and Dharga Town.
It is also reported that the SLMC Leader had lengthy discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa early this week, on the sidelines of a Muslim religious ceremony. At the meeting, President Rajapaksa has reportedly requested Minister Hakeem to act in a "sensible" manner, without straining the relations between the two parties.
