Minister Bimal Rathnayake criticized Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem on Thursday, urging him not to politicize the arrival of a group of Rohingya refugees who recently reached Sri Lanka by boat.
Speaking in Parliament, Rathnayake said the government would handle the matter in a humanitarian manner, in accordance with Sri Lankan and international laws. He dismissed allegations that the refugees would be deported to Myanmar, stressing that no such decision had been made.
“The government will ensure these people are treated with compassion and within the framework of the law. I urge opposition parties not to exploit this situation for political gain,” Rathnayake said.
The minister also addressed Hakeem directly, stating that the National People’s Power (NPP), not the SLMC, now holds the majority support among Muslims in Sri Lanka. “It’s the NPP that Muslims across the country voted for, not the SLMC,” he said. (Islandnews)