லண்டன்வாழ் இலங்கை முஸ்லிம் பிரதிநிதிகள் "COSMOS", பிரிட்டன் எம்.பி.க்களுடன் சந்திப்பு

லண்டனில் இலங்கை முஸ்லிம், பிரதிநிதிகளை உள்ளடக்கிய COSMOS என்ற அமைப்பு பிரித்தானிய எம்.பி.க்களை சந்தித்து பேச்சுவார்த்தை நடத்தியுள்ளது. இலங்கையில் முஸ்லிம் சமூகத்திற்கெதிரான வெறுப்புட்டும் பேச்சு, இனவாத நடவடிக்கைககள் உள்ளிட்டம பல்வேறு விடயங்கள் குறித்து இதன்போது பேசப்பட்டுள்ளன.

A representative delegation of the Council of Sri Lankan Organizations, (COSMOS-UK), an umbrella body of 26 SL Muslim Organizations based in UK, met a diverse group of British MPs from all political parties (cross party) in a Drop-In session at Room T, Portcullis House in the House of Commons on Tuesday 24th April 2018 between 5.30 PM and 7.30 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to update them on the continuing hate campaign against Sri Lankan Muslims by extremist elements and to solicit their support to apply international pressure on the Sri Lankan government to take necessary measures to prevent anti Muslim hate being going mainstream and to protect the rights of minorities to practice their religion and culture, as per international and constitutional obligations. The meeting was hosted by Mr. Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East and chaired by Chair of COSMOS Mr. Azahim Mohamed. Several MPs and their representatives dropped in during this time period to listen to the presentations and take part in Q&A sessions in this regard. The MPs attending included Mr Mark Field, UK Minister in charge of Asian and Pacific Affairs.

At this meeting, the concerns of the Sri Lankan Muslim community in UK about the safety and well being of their families and brethren in Sri Lanka were conveyed to the attending MPs. A comprehensive report was made available to them, providing the background and a detailed narrative in respect of the recent violence along with a list of proposals which COSMOS has already handed over to H.E President of Sri Lanka during his recent visit to the UK. A brief video on the recent communal violence was also screened at this event. They were also further briefed on the COSMOS efforts to form an All Party Political Group(APPG) in UK, to help the Sri Lankan Muslim cause, which also received an overall positive response and Hon Bob Blackman agreed to take a lead on forming APPG for COSMOS UK. In culmination, the MPs undertook to take this matter up with the British Government , on a cross-party basis, towards making use of its’ good offices with the Sri Lankan Government, to take constructive and plausible measures, to ensure that minority rights are duly protected , and to enable all communities to live and be treated as equal citizens, within an inclusive multi-ethnic Sri Lanka.

COSMOS will monitor the progress of outcomes with Mr Blackman, MP and continue to engage with the MPs on a regular basis in this regard, towards facilitating the process of peaceful co-existence in Sri Lanka.