The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Chairman, I am pleased to speak in the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. In the past, there were separate ministries for Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim religious and cultural affairs. Now there is a single ministry overseeing all religions in the country, and it bears a great responsibility to preserve the religions and cultures of all communities.

¶ 03 Before and after the presidential election, some MPs publicly advocated changing the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). Hon. Mujibur Rahuman presented in this House data showing what percentage of child marriages occur among all communities, and that in the Muslim community it is around 14 percent. Those seeking clarity on matters of the Muslim community should meet the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), religious leaders, people’s representatives, and intellectuals to understand the issues, instead of making statements without proper consultation.

¶ 04 Recently there were reports that Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj gave an undertaking to the UN to change the MMDA that allows child marriage. I request that, before expressing opinions on such matters, please consult with the ACJU and our religious leaders to obtain explanations and avoid controversial generalizations about a community.

¶ 05 During former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure, it was said that because Muslims did not vote for him, the janazas of Muslims who died of COVID-19 were cremated. People voted for this Government expecting changes and solutions, not to foster division. Yet minister and independent group MPs continue to make racist statements in Parliament regarding the Muslim community. I request that such speeches be disallowed in this House, especially when we maintain non-racial attitudes outside.

¶ 06 Further, Ven. Gnanasara Thera recently stated publicly that he knows those who orchestrated the Easter Sunday attacks and that he would convey this to the Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Minister of Public Security. I request the Minister of Public Security and the Government to obtain from him the necessary information to identify the masterminds.

¶ 07 The Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Wakfs Board had operated independently. Recent activities suggest political directions are influencing them, disturbing the independence of these institutions. Our community is concerned. I wish to inform both the Hon. Chairman and the Minister of this.

¶ 08 In Sainthamaruthu, according to tradition and rules, 99 marakkayars were publicly selected to administer the Jumu’ah Mosque. I table the list in Parliament. When the marakkayar council requested an election of trustees, the Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs wrote to the Sainthamaruthu Divisional Secretary (Letter No. R/748/AM/28 dated 2025.02.10) deciding to conduct a secret ballot on 2025.02.27 at the Ampara District Secretariat auditorium, and asking that the 99 qualified marakkayars be notified to participate. I table that letter.

¶ 09 However, the Divisional Secretary did not notify the 99 marakkayars, did not conduct the secret ballot, and did not proceed with electing trustees for the mosque. Instead, on 2025.02.11, he wrote stating that Hon. MP and Coastal Areas District Coordinating Committee Chairman A. Aathambawa would appoint a temporary management committee for the mosque and sent a list of 42 names to the Department Director and the Chairman of the Wakfs Board. I table that letter as well.

¶ 10 At the Wakfs Board meeting on 2025.02.18, the Chairman, M.L.M. Mubeen, announced that, based on the Divisional Secretary’s submission and the recommendation of Hon. MP Aathambawa, 42 persons were appointed as trustees of the Sainthamaruthu Jumu’ah Mosque. I table the list of those 42 appointees. One of them, Al Haj Ahamed Lebbe, a retired public manager, has resigned, stating he does not wish to serve due to political interference.

¶ 11 Please change this political culture. Allow the ulama and the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs to function independently regarding mosque matters. If politicians prevent the Department and the Wakfs Board from working freely, people will think differently about this Government, which otherwise has a good name for non-racial conduct. We support the Government’s good work. But we must curb actions that create religious problems among people.

¶ 12 Increase the grants provided by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs to mosques, especially in the Eastern Province. Regarding Hajj, in past years a reasonable cost was set. This year, pilgrims are worried that the announced cost is Rs. 2.3–2.5 million. Please discuss with the relevant authorities to reduce costs for the sacred journey to Makkah.

¶ 13 You have unified the various cultural ministries; therefore, when making political decisions on Muslim cultural matters, please also hear the views of the ACJU. Due to misinformed guidance, in the Eastern Province a political party has reportedly been involved in selecting mosque trustees. Consult our religious scholars and do not let politicians intervene in mosque administration. The late leader M.H.M. Ashraff said, “Those engaged in politics should not interfere in mosque administration.” We will guide, assist, and provide financial support, but not interfere.