Muslim delegation meets Col. Karuna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 September 2003, 12:18 GMT]
LTTE’s senior commander for the Batticaloa–Amparai District, Col. V. Karuna, Saturday had discussions with a delegation of Muslim community leaders and civil society activists at ‘Thenaham’ conference center in Karadiyanaaru, 24 kilometres northwest of Batticaloa. “The discussion was a further step in cementing and deepening the traditional bond between Tamils and Muslims in the east,” an LTTE official in Batticaloa said.

Both parties arranged the meeting without the facilitation of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. “We discussed the basic problems the Muslims face in the Batticaloa-Amparai District, mostly relating to land issues, resettlement and security. The meeting was cordial and fruitful,” said Mr. Senathirajah, the head of the LTTE office for Batticaloa town who took part in Saturday’s meeting.

“Col. Karuna assured the Muslim delegation, Northeast Muslim Peace Federation, that the LTTE would take into account the issues it had raised during the discussion and take steps to resolve them amicably,” he said.

Both parties agreed to set up Tamil/Muslim sub-committees in Batticaloa town, Eravur and Oddamavadi. It was also agreed to work with the existing zonal sub-committees in the Amparai district.

The Muslim delegation was led by President of Northeast Muslim Peace Federation, Mr. A.L.A Abdul Javath, Secretary, Mr. M.I.M Mohideen, Deputy Secy. Mr. U.L.M Mubeen and senior members of the Federation Mr. Y.M.A Cader, Mr. I.M Ibrahim, Dr. A.L Farook, Mr. M. H.A Munaz and Mr. H.M.M Hakkeem.

Col. Karuna was assisted by Mr. T. Ramesh, special commander for Batticaloa Amparai District, Mr. E. Kousalyan, head of the political division for the district, Mr. Bawa, head of the LTTE’s political division for the Amparai district, Mr. Kuhanesan, head of the LTTE’s financial division for the Batticaloa Amparai District and Mr. Senathirajah.

The sub committee for Batticaloa town will meet Sunday, Mr. Senathirajah said.



Col. Karuna greeting members of the delegation




Mr. Ramesh greeting Mr. M.I.M Mohideen