We will protect the Eastern Muslims – Ranil

The Opposition Leader and UNP Presidential candidate assured the Muslims in the East that once he is elected President, he would protect their rights and prevent them being harassed by the LTTE, he said this when he was addressing a public rally held in support of his campaign by the SLMC in Sammanthurai. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, parliamentarians Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Faizal Cassim, Hassan Ali, Deputy Mayor of Colombo Azad Sally, former Deputy Minister M.L.A.M. Hisbullah and several others also addressed the gathering.
"Some are saying that if Ranil becomes the president the LTTE will freely come to these areas, I would like query people like Anver Ismail and Athaullah that who is going to protect Muslims here if the Army is dissolved as suggested by one their colleagues in Mahinda Rajapakse camp?. The Saudi government sent five plane loads of relief to tsunami victims, nothing was distributed among victims here, I would ask those who are ministers of the present government as to why they did not question such discrimination" he added.
"From a war situation we are now in a no war, no peace situation. The CFA brought and end to hostilities. But there were lapses, we have gone through a series of problems, especially the Muslim community in the East had to face a variety of such problems. I promise that I will consider the problems of Muslims as that of mine and find speedy and acceptable solutions to those" he said."After November 18, we will also improve the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission's strength in the east. Like in India we will have a Rapid Deployment Police Force to prevent ethnic related clashes. They will be deployed in the east too", he said.
He also assured justice to the land rights of Muslims and their security. The Tsunami devastated people in the north and east and other areas will be treated equally and rehabilitated.
Ranil Wickremesinghe promised in Samanthurai that the Muslim community will take part in the peace process as a separate delegation and when powers were devolved to the North and the East, he would ensure that Muslim aspirations too were met. He also said that all decision would be taken upon discussing with the Tamil, Muslim leaders who had joined him.
I will develop the South Eastern University, Kalmunai town will be converted to a modern city, the stalled Oluvil port work will be re-commenced and we will modernize the Sammanthurai hospital. We will also establish a guaranteed price of Rs. 17/= per kilo gram of paddy and 50 kilo gram fertilizer bags will be provided to farmers at the rate Rs. 550/=. We will take all possible steps to arrest the cost of living' he assured.
The UNP leader said he was aware that Muslim traders were being taxed by the LTTE and their lands taken over. He assured that he would take action to ensure that their lands were returned and taxation stopped. He also promised to strengthen the STF to protect the Muslims. He also addressed propaganda rallies at Addalachchenai and Ampara town.