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The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has agreed to contest the General Election under the People's Alliance (PA) banner in three districts following the resolution of some thorny issues between the two parties, political sources revealed. The issues between the two parties were peacefully ironed out during a meeting between President Kumaratunga and SLMC leader and Port Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Minister M. H. M. Ashraff at Temple Trees on Wednesday night. Earlier, the SLMC contemplated contesting the elections under the National Unity Alliance banner over a dispute regarding a statement made by Transport and Highways Minister A. H. M. Fowzie. In a letter sent last evening to Mr.Ashraff, President Kumaratunga reiterated that "neither the PA, nor the SLFP nor I agree with or endorse any of the views expressed by Mr.Fowzie". According to the agreement reached on Wednesday night the SLMC will contest under the PA banner in three districts - Digamadulla, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. It will contest 10 districts under the NUA banner - Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Jaffna, Wanni, Galle, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kalutara. According to the agreement, SLMC leader M. H. M. Ashraff will lead the PA nomination list in the Digamadulla district while Deputy Minister M. L. A. M. Hisbullah will lead the PA nomination list in the Batticaloa district. President Kumaratunga said in her letter to Mr.Ashraff "I reiterate that this type of conduct [of Mr.Fowzie] is dangerously damaging to the unity of any political alliance such as the PA, which consists of 10 political parties and groups- a unity which has been built block by block with immense sacrifices and supreme efforts on my part and by many of us in the PA. The SLFP views this very seriously and shall take the necessary action regarding the violation of part discipline." "I once again request you to reconsider your decision to resign from the PA Cabinet, in view of the dialogue that you have had with me and with several members of the SLFP since the 21st August," she said. Earlier, Minister Ashraff in letter to the President "I consider the confidence that you have in me even after I tendered my resignation and the SLMC taking the decision to quit the PA Government, as a greatest complement, that both the SLMC and I have received since the commencement of our political struggle. God has made you as one and the only symbol of peace and you have also been made as the pen with which God Insha Allah will rewrite once again the destiny of our motherland". He also states in the letter: "At the same time we also believe that you cannot succeed in bringing this much cherished and sought after peace unless you are fully and sincerely supported by the Muslim community as well as the Tamil community. Even if Prabhakaran comes to the negotiating table the much wanted peace cannot be achieved without the Muslim community fully throwing itself with you and strengthening your cause and mission."
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