(UTV | COLOMBO) – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says the government is committed to protecting the rights and upholding the respect of the Muslim community.
Speaking at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Muslim conference yesterday Premier Rajapaksa said his faction always fought to safeguard the rights and the traditions of the Muslim community.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa said the voting pattern amongst the Muslim community has been changing in recent times.
The Premier claimed that in the past it was a known phenomenon that a majority of the Muslim community voted for the symbol of the elephant although his faction was treated with ‘biriyani.’
The Prime Minister said the practice is now changing and claimed that his factions is not only receiving ‘biriyani’ abut also the votes from the Muslim community.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa said his faction has fielded eight candidates at the General Election and the Muslim community has a responsibility to elect them to Parliament.
The Prime Minister also claimed that his administration fought the LTTE to save the Muslim community adding that it also benefitted the Tamil community as well.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa also commented on the performance of the final rites of followers of Islam who passed away owing to the coronavirus and various opinions expressed pertaining to the rituals.
The Premier said although the Minister of Health attempted to resolve the issues surrounding the cremation of bodies during the COVID-19 crisis, she could not overrule the decision of health experts.
The Prime Minister said the directive to cremate the bodies of those died with coronavirus was taken by a panel of experts consisting of doctors and scientists.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said although some corners continue to blame the government for the decision, the present administration was working towards achieving a favorable outcome for all.