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President Kumaratunga in a statement issued yesterday said that Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauf Hakeem was removed from the Cabinet because he violated the principle of collective responsibility of the Cabinet. The full statement as follows: I wish to emphasize that the reasons that led to the removal of Mr. Rauf Hakeem from the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday (20.06.2001) were in the greater interest of the common good of the country and the people. Mr. Rauf Hakeem was removed from the Cabinet of Ministers because of his violation of the principle of collective responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers; his activities and attitudes were damaging the government, the country and national unity. I wish to emphasize that this decision was in no way one that was taken against the Muslim community or the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress. I wish to further state that my government will leave no cause for concern or create any difficulty for the Muslim community as a result of the considered decision to remove Mr. Hakeem from the Cabinet of Ministers. From its inception, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has had a very special attitude of friendship and cordiality towards the Muslim community. The late Mr. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike had very friendly relationships with the Muslim people. Distinguished leaders of the Muslims such as Dr. Badi-ud-deen Mohamed, Mr. C. A. S. Marikkar and Mr. Abdul Majeed were active members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. In addition, even in international affairs, the SLFP has consistently followed a policy of close friendship with the Muslim people in as regards struggles of the Arab people including that of the Palestinian people. The SLFP and the United Front governments led by it have always been supportive of their cause. For this reason, all through the years the relationship between the Muslim people and the People’s Alliance led by the SLFP has been at the most cordial level. Until the situation made it necessary to take the decision to remove Mr. Hakeem from the Cabinet of Ministers, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) had functioned as an active and friendly constituent party of the People’s Alliance. However, both the statements and the activities of the new leader of the SLMC, Mr. Rauf Hakeem, from the time he accepted his portfolio, have caused a major problem for the government. He acted in a manner that was in complete contrast to the policies of his late leader Mr. M. H. M. Ashraff. Until he came to his tragic end, Mr. Ashraff and the SLMC worked together in close friendship with the government. Mr. Ashraff did at no time act in a manner so as to cause embarrassment to the government. Although at times he had minor differences with some leading members of the PA, he was always able to settle these through cordial discussions and work in the larger interests of the country and the government. He was able to achieve this due to his foresight, wisdom and the dedication he always had in serving the entirety of the people. However, not only did Mr. Rauf Hakeem make statements causing embarrassment to the government, there were numerous occasions when he acted in violation of the principle of collective responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers. On many instances I and other leaders of the PA acted with great patience in resolving the problems caused by his statements and actions. When Mr. Hakeem continued to submit long lists of demands, one after the other, the government took every action to satisfy him in these matters as far as possible. With regard to the demands that could not be met, the government took measures to reach some understanding with him through discussion. On many such occasions, I have very clearly and in the most cordial manner advised him to act with patience and cooperation in such situations of conflict. Further, it has been the position of the People’s Alliance that the SLMC should be a strong political party. Many are the occasions when I clearly explained to Mr. Hakeem that both myself and other leaders of the PA accepted as a mattter of principle the necessity of a strong and democratic party to represent the Muslim people. I have also, on many an occasion explained to both Mr. Hakeem and Mrs. Ferial Ashraff the need to settle the policy differences and other conflict situations that exist within the SLMC with all possible speed and move forward as a strong political party. I have often offered my own assistance and that of the PA towards strengthening the SLMC. I even postponed a very important meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers scheduled to be held on June 15, 2000 and at the request of Mr. Hakeem and had discussions with him, because I realised the importance of settling any problems with the SLMC in the most cordial manner. At this meeting, when I asked Mr. Hakeem about the problems he had with the government, the most cordial discussion took place about the issue of the Kalmunai district and the worries he had about a certain statement made by another minister. Mr. Hakeem told me that he would meet Mrs. Ferial Ashraff on Sunday, June 17 and resolve all these issues. However, it is now established that no such meeting took place. The very fact that there were conditions of tension, that could have led to clashes between sections of the Muslim people in Ampara District on that very day, shows that there had not even been preparation for the promised discussions to resolve these issues. It became evident that the policies followed by Mr. Hakeem pose a major threat to the PA government and to the unity and understanding among different communities that the PA government has built with great dedication over the past few years. Accordingly, after a long period of discussion, it became necessary to take this decision with regard to Mr. Hakeem.
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