Parliament boycott- three more Muslim MPs join
[October 24, 2002  - 12.00 GMT]

Three MPs of the National Unity Alliance (NUA) – Ministers Ferial Ashraff, Cegu Isadean and M L A M Hisbullah today decided to join the 9 others who are currently boycotting Parliament.

Nine MPs led by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MP A L M Athaullah have stayed away from Parliament since October 19, 2002 saying that the concerns of Muslims in the East were being ignored in the current peace talks with the LTTE.

Mr. Hisbullah of the NUA told PRIU today “We have planned a token boycott only for tomorrow in order to show our solidarity with the other Muslim MPs and have invited our other Parliamentary colleagues to join us.”

However Mr. A H M Fowzie speaking to PRIU said “Boycotting Parliament would not help solve any problem we should all get together irrespective party affiliations and have a discussion with the Prime Minister”. The former Minister said, “Whatever the decision we make, future generations of the East must not curse us, we must have peace but not at the expense of the Muslims”. 

Muslim MPs of the Government were not available for comment. 

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Last Updated Date: October 24, 2002  - 12.00 GMT.