January 20, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 19, 1426

COLOMBO, Jan 19: As President Mahinda Rajapakse initiated an all party conference on Thursday to seek a southern consensus on a political solution to prevent another war with separatist Tiger guerillas, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), representing the country’s seven per cent Muslim population, say they will oppose any move to bow down to the LTTE demand of recognition for a separate state.

“Yes, we are aware that they (LTTE) are running a de facto state in the north. But we will oppose any move that will be made to recognize it. We will fight and die for the unity of this country,” Hassan Ali, general-secretary of the SLMC, said.

His comments came after President Rajapakse on Tuesday refused a SLMC request for a separate Muslim delegation in the event peace talks resume with the Tamil Tigers.

“We will definitely push for a separate Muslim delegation. This will be one of our key demands when we meet Norwegian envoy to Sri Lanka, Erik Solheim on Monday,” the SLMC general-secretary said.

“We are only asking for power sharing that will devolve power to all provinces of Sri Lanka and its people.

“The government should recognize that there is a sizable Muslim population in the east of the country and allow a separate Muslim delegation to take part,” Ali said.