The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I am responding to the Question raised under Standing Order 27(2) by the Hon. K. Kader Masthan on 2025.08.20. As the answer is lengthy, I will be concise while presenting it accurately.

¶ 02 1. Prior to 2019, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama provided a general no-objection for the release of translations of the Holy Qur’an and Islamic books. This function was handled through the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs.

¶ 03 However, after the Easter Sunday attacks in April 2019, the Ministry of Defence issued new guidelines. Accordingly, translations of the Qur’an and Arabic books must be reviewed by qualified Muslim scholars to certify that they do not contain passages denigrating other religions or that could be misused. Details are in Annexes 01 and 02. The Department was asked to nominate scholars, and based on that, a Review Committee was established by the Ministry of Defence.

¶ 04 Members of the Committee were appointed under guidelines and a framework provided by the Ministry of Defence through the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs. Details are in Annexes 03 and 04.

¶ 05 Special guidelines and a framework for the import of Qur’an translations and Islamic books were issued by the Ministry of Defence. Under this framework, the Review Committee examines material and provides recommendations. Details are in Annexes 05 and 06.

¶ 06 2. In container FCSU 8233306, the following quantities of the Holy Qur’an were held and, per recommendations, certain stocks were restricted. Details are in Annex 07.

¶ 07 Item - Quantity - Holy Qur’an (Arabic) - 25,000 - Holy Qur’an (Tamil translation) - 15,640 - Holy Qur’an (Tamil) - 9,720 - Holy Qur’an (Sinhala) - 1,200

¶ 08 From that container’s stock, 25,000 Arabic Qur’an copies were released without issue. Details are in Annex 08.

¶ 09 The remaining 26,560 translated Qur’an copies (Tamil and Sinhala) are currently held by Sri Lanka Customs.

¶ 10 Approval from the Book Review Committee has not been granted. As the imported Qur’an translations do not fully comply with the established translation framework, the necessary Defence clearances cannot be obtained. Details are in Annexes 09, 10 and 11.

¶ 11 Annexes 01 to 11 are placed in the Library.

¶ 12 This decision was taken at a meeting of the Security Council. The extract states:

¶ 13 “If the problematic books do not include correct (source references) and accurate interpretations by the original publishers on the relevant pages, they should not be released.”

¶ 14 Hon. Speaker, we have been engaging on this question for some time. There are inconsistencies and many places where references in lengthy quotations are unclear. The Defence Council’s guidance has been to clarify those matters, to avoid any situation that undermines inter-religious harmony or social cohesion.

¶ 15 Our position is that, while safeguarding interfaith amity and preventing social disharmony, proper translations and clarifications should reach the Muslim community.

¶ 16 There was no such framework before 2019. As you know, heightened scrutiny commenced after 2019 under Defence Ministry directions. Scholars were nominated, and since its establishment in 2021, the committee has been serving voluntarily. The distinguished scholars include: Shastrapati Sheikh Akram Noor Ameer, Sheikh Dr. A. A. Asaheem, Sheikh Murshid Moulafar, Shastrapati Sheikh Saki Ahmad, Shastravedi Sheikh A. H. Ihsanudeen, Attorney-at-Law Sheikh Mufti Mustafa Raza Safar, and Educationist Sheikh M. R. M. BES.

¶ 17 The Review Committee has approved only the Arabic text of the Holy Qur’an, Hon. Speaker. It has not recommended the translated versions because they do not conform to the required framework. The four principal clauses relevant are as follows, stated briefly:

¶ 18 - Clause 2.3: Where needed, translations must include clarifying notes (tafsir) for terms such as jihad and other expressions, to prevent readers from misinterpreting verses.

¶ 19 - Clause 2.4: Translations must use respectful forms of address for Almighty Allah, His beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), other Prophets, angels, and the pious men and women mentioned in the Qur’an. If terms deemed disrespectful are used, release will not be recommended.

¶ 20 - Clause 6.3: Books based on Hanbali and Maliki jurisprudence, as well as fatwa collections, may be imported only for research and reference.

¶ 21 - Clause 8.3: Books representing other schools of thought may be permitted for research and reference with proper standardization.

¶ 22 Hon. Member, these are the procedures that have been followed.

¶ 23 Subsequently, pursuant to a decision taken at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on 2025.06.23, the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs implemented these Security Council directives strictly, aligning with national security needs while safeguarding the religious sentiments of the Muslim community and preserving inter-religious harmony islandwide. The Department will continue to function within this framework.

¶ 24 That is the answer to the questions raised by the Hon. Member. Thank you.