Coordinator for the Ampara District Coastal Areas of the United National Party and former Committee Chairman of the Eastern Provincial Council Dr. A.M. Jameel has expressed his dismay over the decision by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) President Rauff Hakeem to support Sajith Premadasa unconditionally.
Dr. Jameel criticized Hakeem for making this decision for selfish political reasons without addressing demands for social welfare.
Issuing a media statement, Dr. Jameel remarked:
"The upcoming presidential election is crucial as it will determine the future of our country, its people, and future generations. The choice is between retaining President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is admired for saving the country and its people, taking charge when the Gotabaya government had pushed the nation to the brink, and rebuilding the fallen economy in a short period, or appointing individuals who were perceived as cowards during that critical moment.
Additionally, this election presents a key opportunity for the Muslim community to consider whether we should continue living in peace with equality under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, or risk the rebirth of ethnic oppression.
It is against this backdrop that the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress President Rauff Hakeem has irresponsibly auctioned the peace and bargaining power entrusted to him for his own selfish politics. Hakeem is deviating from the path laid by our late patriarch, M.H.M. Ashraf, who established the party as a bastion for societal bargaining power. Under his leadership, the Muslim Congress was a vital negotiating force, but it has now become a business enterprise for Hakeem and his colleagues. Hakeem is acting as a pawn for both foreign and domestic powers.
Historically, the demands and conditions set by the great leader Ashraf when supporting former Presidents R. Premadasa and Chandrika Bandaranaike led to significant achievements. During Ashraf's tenure, the Muslim Congress's candidates won all three presidential elections it faced.
However, under Hakeem’s leadership, the party has supported presidential candidates Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sarath Fonseka, and Sajith Premadasa, all of whom were defeated. Hakeem joined Maithripala Sirisena’s victory celebrations only after the outcome was clear. Despite opposing Mahinda Rajapaksa initially, Hakeem accepted ministerial posts in Rajapaksa's government after his victory. The UNP, after aligning with Hakeem's SLMC, has never won a parliamentary majority.
The electoral setbacks of the Muslim Congress can be attributed to Hakeem’s lack of political wisdom, energy, and foresight, coupled with a self-serving attitude that disregards social concerns. His current support for Sajith Premadasa appears to be driven by similar motives.
Following the untimely death of M.H.M. Ashraf in 2000, Rauff Hakeem, who was offered a significant ministerial role when President Chandrika’s Podujana Peramuna came to power, was involved in a coup with the assistance of foreign powers within a year. This betrayal contributed to the hostility of the Sinhalese majority towards the Muslim community, a fact supported by intellectual analysis.
Muslim Congress militants must recognize that Hakeem’s election strategies have consistently been focused on his own selfish interests. Until this realization occurs, Hakeem will continue to deceive the militants. The majority of the Muslim community and the Muslim Congress Party wish to support President Ranil, but if Hakeem continues to ignore the country’s interests to focus on his future political ambitions and foreign needs, it will become apparent soon. The time when Hakeem will be ousted from the SLMC leadership by its own members is not far off."
