In a move aimed at fostering dialogue on national and Muslim community affairs, senior representatives of Sri Lanka’s National Shoora Council held a constructive and cordial meeting with opposition Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs) on Wednesday, July 23 in Colombo.
The meeting was held under the leadership of Hon. President of the National Shoora Council, President’s Counsel M.M. Zuhair. The welcome address was delivered by Hon. Secretary Attorney-at-Law Rasheed M.M. Imtiyaz, followed by a presentation by former President of the Council, Ash-Sheikh S.H.M. Paleel, who introduced the Council’s delegation and gave an overview of its history, objectives, achievements, and future direction.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Executive Committee member, Mr. M.H.M. Hassan.
Muslim MPs who participated included Rauff Hakeem, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, M.S. Uthuman Lebbe, Nizam Kariapper, Mujibur Rahman, Kabir Hashim, M.M. Thowfeek, Ismail Muthu Mohamed, K. Kader Masthan, and M.S. Wasantha.
During his keynote address, President’s Counsel Zuhair highlighted the increasing violations of Muslim rights and pointed to developments that pose threats to national interest. He urged the MPs to speak up in Parliament on these matters.
He also raised concern over the growing Israeli presence and activities in Sri Lanka, warning that this trend could negatively affect not only the Muslim community but also the country’s broader national interests. He called on the MPs to give this issue serious attention.
Other topics discussed included the reform of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, the seizure of translated copies of the Qur’an by customs, the Mahara prison mosque dispute, and various community-related matters.
The opposition MPs emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration with their counterparts in the ruling party and expressed their willingness to work together. The Shoora Council representatives assured the MPs of their support, offering to provide relevant data and insights for parliamentary debates.
They also reiterated that the political sphere is closely tied to the daily lives of people, making it essential for the Muslim civil leadership — represented by the National Shoora Council — to remain engaged with the country’s political developments.
Previously, in May, the Council met with ruling party MPs to discuss similar key issues. The Council has also played an active role in organizing advisory forums on significant matters such as constitutional reform and electoral conduct, issuing voter guidance, and outlining Muslim community expectations ahead of presidential elections. A 27-point proposal was earlier presented to all presidential candidates.
As part of these ongoing efforts, the Council’s top representatives also held talks with Dilvin Silva, General Secretary of the National People’s Power (NPP), to discuss pressing matters.
This latest meeting marks a continuation of the Council’s strategic initiative to engage both government and opposition Muslim MPs in a unified effort to address national and community concerns.