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The SLMC has called for a separate presidential commission for Muslims. Its general secretary Hasan Ali has told BBC Tamil Service the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission only had a limited mandate and covered a limited period.

Mandated to cover the period between 2002 and 2009, it won’t be in any way helpful in addressing the issues faced by the Muslims since 1990, he has said. Mr. Ali has said the SLMC planned to meet president Mahinda Rajapaksa in the coming days to discuss expanding the commission’s mandate.

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa hosted the Iftar Dinner for the Muslims observing Ramadan at the Temple Trees on Friday night. President Rajapaksa is seen here surrounded by a large group of Muslim devotees including parliamentarians and foreign diplomats participating in breaking the fast.

Former supreme court judge Christopher Gregory Weeramantry was awarded two Gold Medals by All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama for his book on Islamic Jurisprudence he wrote the ‘Islamic Jurisprudence: An International Perspective’ in 1996, the ceremony held in Colombo last week the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama President Mufthi M.I.M. Rizwe honored him with gold medals and words of praise , Rizwe Mufthi said the book covers and presents the true nature of Islamic Jurisprudence and praised him for the writing such wonderful book covers all aspects of Jurisprudence system and development

Christopher Gregory Weeramantry -born 17 November 1926 in Colombo, Sri Lanka- was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka from 1967 to 1972. He was a Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) from 1991 to 2000, and was Vice-President of the ICJ from 1997 to 2000. He presided in his capacity as Vice-President of the ICJ over several important cases before the Court, including a case on the illegality of the use and threatened use of nuclear weapons. Judge Weeramantry serves on the Legal and Human Rights Advisory Board of the Genetics Policy Institute. He is currently Emeritus Professor at Monash University, having previously served as Sir Hayden Starke’s Chair of Law from 1972 to 1991. Furthermore he is the president of the International Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms. In addition C.G. Weeramantry is a councillor of the World Future Council Read the rest of this entry »

Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne affirmed that Government is aware of the necessities of North East Muslims. Mr. Jayaratne pointed out that Muslim community’s contribution to end the three decade long civil war is commendable. Premier made these remarks at a discussion held with the Muslim theologians, the All Island Jamiyyathul Ulama Association.

Mr. Jayaratne also stated that Muslim community has a responsibility in building peace in the country and stressed the importance of incorporating the views of North East people to achieve national integration successfully. The understanding among different communities is exceptionally high in Sri Lanka, therefore achieving nationwide peace has become relatively easy task compared with the other countries in the region.

In reply the leader of All Island Jamiyyathul Ulama Association Rev. Rizvi Mufthi said that Muslim community will provide their unconditional support to the government to achieve peace and harmony in the country.

The Government will grant special leave to Government sector Muslim employees during the Ramazan fasting period, Labour Relations and Production Promotion Minister Gamini Lokuge said in a release.

The Minister also requested private sector employers to grant Muslim employees special leave. The Minister said special leave will be granted from August 12 to September 10 during prayer times 3.30 a.m. to 6 a.m., 3.15 p.m. to 4.15 p.m, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m, and 7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. He also stated a special holiday will be granted on the day of Ramazan and also requested festival or salary advances be paid 14 days prior to the Ramazan period.

By Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera
SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem told Parliament yesterday that Muslim families evicted from the Machchikuda area in Kilinochchi had been denied access to their original lands now.Mr. Hakeem said 1,750 Muslim families evicted by the LTTE now lived in welfare camps in Puttalam. However, he said their lands in Nachchikuda were now being occupied by others. “Therefore, these Muslim families cannot return to their original lands,” he said.

He said even the police did not act to ensure justice for these people. The SLMC Leader said former LTTE cadres had grabbed the lands of evictees. “People are scared to talk against them. These former LTTE cadres might have hidden their arms elsewhere,” he said. He said this problem had cropped up in the Iranativu area in the North too. – Dailymirror

It is said   six Muslims from various parts of Sri Lanka have been selected for the most prestigious Presidential Award for Scientific Research for the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. His Excellency President is to honour these scholars with certificates of recognition for their scientific research articles on different subjects, appeared in the most recognised scientific journal of international repute in 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006.

These scholars will be honoured by the President with awards at a ceremony to be held at the temple trees on Tuesday, the 27th instant at 10.30 in the morning.  The following personalities are to be honoured with awards 1). Professor M.A.M. Sitheeque (Maruthamunai), Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, currently attached to University of Science Malaysia 2). Dr. M.C.M. Iqbal (Kandy), Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy 3). Dr. Nazrin Marikkar (Palathurai, Negambo), Researcher Coconut Research Institute, presently at University Putra, Malaysia 4). Mr. M.M. Bahir (Galle), Freelance Conservation Biologist 5). Dr. M.M.M. Najim (Galle), Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya 6). Dr. M.I.M. Mowjood (Palamunai), Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya.