Council of Sri Lankan Muslim Organisations (COSMOS UK), an umbrella organization of 26 Sri Lankan Muslim organizations based in the UK, hosted two TNA Parliamentarians who were on a brief visit to the UK, Hon. M.A Sumanthiran and Hon. Shanakkiyan Rasamanickam to a formal meeting on Friday 26th November 2021 at Marriot Hotel in London. COSMOS delegation included the President Mr Shakeer Nawas, the General Secretary Mr Naeem, Immediate Past President Mr Liyas, Past President Mr. Rizwan, Stakeholder Committee Chair Mr Haseen, Membership Committee Chair Mr Mukshid, Author / Writer and former Cosmos Vice President Mr Harees, and Cosmos Executive members Mr Jazeel and Mr. Hidayathulla.
COSMOS President, Mr Nawas, who chaired the meeting welcomed and thanked the Parliamentarians for meeting their delegation, as well as for the significant contributions they have made both inside and outside the Legislature, in fighting for Muslim rights and consistently raising their voices against State-sanctioned discrimination in Sri Lanka. Special gratitude of the UK based Sri Lankan Muslim community was conveyed to both, for unequivocally speaking against the forced-cremation policy of the Government of Sri Lanka, which was thankfully reversed due to local and international pressure.
The meeting was part of COSMOS UK mission and planned to build relationships and work where feasible with all shades of political, civil and diaspora leadership towards promoting peaceful co-existence and ensuring that the Muslim community in particular and other people in general, to live in Sri Lanka as equals with dignity. Mr Nawas also pointed out the pivotal role played by COSMOS as a responsible umbrella body in the UK, in the above areas, including the initiation and formation of an All-Party Parliamentary Group for COSMOS UK (APPG Cosmos) in the House of Commons in UK for Sri Lankan Muslims and engagement with Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London on Sri Lanka Muslim community matters.
Hon. Sumanthiran sharing his thoughts, decried the well-orchestrated State discrimination and “antiminority” measures being implemented and envisaged in Sri Lanka, including demography changes, which are likely to have an adverse impact on the minorities, especially in the North and East. He also apprised the delegation of the various measures being taken by the TNA as a responsible political party to raise more awareness about these adverse trends, to unify all minority voices as well as lobby international players to defeat the “anti-minority” repressive measures and to find a just solution to the National Question. Hon. Shanakkiyan speaking next underlined the imperative need for Tamils and Muslims to stand united to defeat these continuous onslaughts by the Sri Lankan regime, on their identity, economy, as well as their civic and religious rights. He also cited many recent examples of such trespasses on their rights, including human rights violations impacting the Muslim community, particularly since the Easter Sunday attacks around 300 Muslims detained under PTA. Both Parliamentarians appealed to the Muslim Diaspora leadership in the West to support this mission to bring about justice and fair play to all communities in Sri Lanka. Further the two MP’s assured TNA will vote against any personal law abolition including MMDA and supports the reformed MMDA and urged Muslim community to support the reforms.
A productive round of discussions clarifying areas of mutual mistrust between Tamils and Muslims and exploring ways and means to promote understanding and trust between these fraternal communities as well as to facilitate collaboration and cooperation in taking this mission forward. The suggestions included reaching out to the progressive sections of all communities, including the larger Sinhalese community, to work together for the common good. It was mutually agreed to continue mutual contacts and communication in the future.
Mr. Naeem – General Secretary delivered the Vote of Thanks and thanked both Honourable MPs’ efforts in for meeting Cosmos UK officials despite their busy schedule and engaging in a very productive & constructive discussion.
Reported by:
Sifan Naeem
General Secretary – COSMOS UK
***Download the original press release here: PRESS RELEASE