(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – All Muslim Ministers, including Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, resigned from their portfolios in the Government yesterday.
Addressing the media today, Minister Rauf Hakeem said that all Muslim State and Deputy Ministers had also tendered their resignations.
He said that the decision was taken after discussions held between the Muslim Parliamentarians in the Government.
Hakeem said that the Muslim Ministers will however continue to support the Government in Parliament and ensure it has the majority.
The Muslim Ministers who resigned are Rauf Hakeem, Kabir Hashim, MHA Haleem and Rishad Bathiudeen.
State Ministers Ali Zahir Maulana, Faizal Cassim, H.M.M. Haris and Ameer Ali also resigned.
Deputy Minister for Ports and Shipping Abdullah Mahroof had also tendered his resignation.
Hashim said the Muslim Ministers who resigned will give the Government one month to ensure the authorities investigate the allegations made against some Muslims Ministers over the Easter Sunday attacks.
He said that while the former Ministers will continue to support the Government they would expect the Government to protect the Muslim community.
Earlier, Eastern Province Governor M.L.A.M Hizbullah and Western Province Governor Azath Salley had also resigned from their posts.
The President’s office said that they handed over their resignation letters to President Maithripala Sirisena.
President Sirisena, who had appointed the two Governors, accepted the resignation letters.
