16 May 2004	Sunday	25 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

COLOMBO, May 15: The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader, Rauf Hakeem, in a letter to President Kumaratunge has appealed for the incorporation of a Muslim delegation in talks with the LTTE.

"It is a well known position of the Muslim community in the North East that a separate, independent Muslim delegation should participate in the peace negotiations. This stance is in keeping with the aspiration of the Muslim Community that their vital interests and concerns should be addressed.

We would, therefore, urge your Excellency to provide for the participation of a separate, independent delegation in the forthcoming peace negotiation", reads the SLMC communique to President Kumaratunge.