(UTV|COLOMBO) – United People’s Freedom Alliance Parliamentarian AHM Fowzie says the Group of Muslim MPs who resigned from respective Ministerial portfolios after the Easter Sunday Bombings, has decided to accept the posts once again.
Speaking to UTV News MP Fowzie said the decision was arrived at following last evening’s discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The group of Nine Muslim MPs, including Cabinet and State Ministers resigned from the respective portfolios to facilitate the conduct of an independent inquiry into the Easter Sunday Bombings.
A group of MPs was accused of influencing the on-going Easter Sunday attack investigations, resulting in mass resignations in June this year.
However, after receiving a go ahead and assurance from the government, United National Party Parliamentarians Kabir Hashim and AHM Haleem were re-appointed as Cabinet Ministers.
The other MPs remained in the side-lines while demanding the present administration to resolve issues faced by the Muslim community.
Several rounds of discussions were held between the two factions.
Parliamentarian AHM Fowzie said after successful discussions, the Prime Minister had notified the President to re-appoint the group of MPs to their respective portfolios.
The MP noted that President Sirisena had requested the group of Muslim MPs to take oaths last Friday, adding however the MPs informed the Head of State that they were unable to do so on the given date.
MP Fowzie said accordingly the group will be sworn in as Ministers once again in the near future.
Meanwhile, MP Fowzie said the group of MPs will hold discussions today with Minister of Home Affairs Vajira Abeywardena pertaining to several issues faced by the Muslim community.
MP Fowzie said recent incidents in Kandy, Ampara and in the North Western province will be brought up during talks.
He said the MPs are pushing for a durable solution to the existing concerns in a bid to unite all racial groups in the country.
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