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

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the question is clear. It is true that the Holy Qur’an should reach the people. I explained at length the current measures and the legal framework underpinning them.

¶ 02 On the Review Committee: members were appointed based on required qualifications. Appointments were made by letter signed by the Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs; they serve voluntarily. There is no gazette establishing it and no payments are made. If you consider the committee unsuitable, please inform us in writing; we can review it formally. This is not an ad hoc committee formed on anyone’s whim, but an advisory body for Muslim religious affairs, within the administrative structure of the Ministry and Department, with guidance also from the Ministry of Defence.

¶ 03 At a committee meeting chaired by the President, we discussed resolving this matter. Everyone’s intention, including the Government’s, is to resolve it. The books were printed in Al-Madina; to my knowledge they were not printed here. We discussed options such as correcting references and adding two or three pages of clarifications at the end. However, that too carries risks; such pages could be removed. Over time a different edition could circulate. Therefore, a proper correction and, if possible, reprinting in Sri Lanka was considered as one option.

¶ 04 We request that our good faith be understood. If you propose alternative solutions, we are ready to listen and act accordingly to resolve this without issues.