28 March, 2024

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MPLRAG Cautions Govt Against Implementing MMDA Reforms Motivated By Majoritarian Entitlement

The Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) expresses concern over growing interest in reforms in the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, motivated by majoritarian entitlement amd crass opportunism aimed at capitalizing at a point when the Muslim Community is feeling vulnerable.

In a statement, the MPLRAG emphazises on the importance of ensuring that any reform to MMDA is focused on addressing the long-term grievances clearly articulated by Muslim women for over three decades.

“It should seriously consider what Muslim women have put forward as solutions based on their lived realities and their beliefs informed by faith, rights, and the constitution,” the statement notes.

The MPLRAG further cautions that any approach that does not take this into consideration will lead to further victimization and oppression.

“We do not consider All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) as representing the interests of the Muslim women and girls. Their past conduct demonstrates that they have contributed to the control and oppression in self-interest.”

We publish below the statement in full:

MPLRAG response to the public conversation on MMDA: The antidote to extremism is ensuring equality, rights and freedoms for all

After the tragic and dastardly Easter Sunday attacks of April 21, Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG) issued a statement of condolence and thereafter remained silent in our advocacy for the past month in memory of those who were killed. We wanted to respect and participate in the space for grieving by families and communities. The events of the past month have overwhelmed our nation and we call for more attention to be paid to all the families affected and to take much needed space and time for reflection and healing. 

Sadly, but predictably, we also saw forces of hatred and misogyny intensify and permeate the discussions in public and private places, print, air-waves and internet as well as in Parliament and policy spaces. We could hear the voices of sanity drowned out by those steeped in prejudice and sanctioned ignorance. We saw Muslims being forced into performative atonement and self-policing. We also saw prejudice and hate dictate regulations and attempting to dictate law. As expected, Muslim women are bearing the brunt of it. To the oppression from within the community, an oppression from the state was introduced. The lived realities of Sri Lanka’s Muslim women just got worse. 

Many eyes on MMDA

It is in this context that we have observed, with a great deal of anxiety, an increased attention among many to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) and particular attention to the lack of a minimum age of marriage for Muslims of Sri Lanka. The principled calls for reform of MMDA particularly by Muslim women spans over 30 years and has been more visible in the public domain at least for the last three years. We note with trepidation, that the current heightened interest towards reforms to the MMDA is motivated by prejudice, majoritarian entitlement and crass opportunism to capitalise at a time when the community is feeling vulnerable. 

We therefore demand that any reform to MMDA should focus on addressing the long-term grievances clearly articulated by Muslim women for over three decades. It should seriously consider what Muslim women have put forward as solutions based on their lived realities and their beliefs informed by faith, rights, and the constitution. 

We caution that any approach that does not take this into consideration will lead to further victimization and oppression. We do not consider All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) as representing the interests of the Muslim women and girls. Their past conduct demonstrates that they have contributed to the control and oppression in self-interest.

The best interest of the Muslim women and girls 

MMDA reform has been pushed into the government’s agenda in a policy environment that is emotionally charged for Muslim communities and driven by prejudice of certain non-Muslim quarters.  Therefore MPLRAG, which consists of lawyers, scholars, and activists, considers it imperative to raise its voice. The reform exercise must remain true to its principal constituency – Muslim women and girls. At this juncture, we will work to ensure that the reform conversation is not hijacked by those forces who are not interested in the wellbeing of the community nor leave it to be held in continuous hostage by anti-reform forces within the community. 

We strongly believe that the antidote to extremism is freedom, equality, and justice to all. Towards this end, and till MMDA is reformed, this is a first in our series of notes in which we will bring clarity to the reform discussions. 

We resume our voicing out and demand that we be heard.

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Latest comments

  • 23
    5

    This is another sneaky attempts by Islamic extremists. Their tactic is to progress their agenda by complaining of alleged discrimination, and charges like maajority entitlement, as has been tried here.
    /
    But any civilised society in the world would agree that (often forcible) marriage of young girls of 13-15 yrs old or younger) by much older men who have several other ‘wives’ cannot be tolerated in a primarily Sinhala Buddhist and Hindu society.
    /
    Such vulgar behaviour of course is approved in rhe two Middle Eastern religions Islam (Mohamed himself is known to have kept a 6 year old girl as ‘wife’), and Judaism, and was practiced by Jewish colonisers of our land between the 15th and 20th centuries.
    /
    Therefore this animalistic practice should be stopped disregarding claims of any rights abuse. Rights also should involve responsibilities and be made subject to social norms.

  • 23
    3

    Sir,
    Long before Easter Sunday bloody mayhem, I wanted to know why we need laws based on ethnicity and religion. All are equal before the law. ONE LAW THAT IS! My total opposition to MMDA has nothing to do with Easter Sunday carnage. We do not need to reform MMDA. We should DISMANTLE IT! Equality and Justice for all.
    Cheers!
    PS: There is no need to consult ACJU religious lunatics on these matters. It is 2019. Primitive ACJU has no Veto rights on how women born free in Sri Lanka should live their lives. Religion is a personal matter. You go it alone with God (if he or she exists). It is not a journey one should take under the supervision of uneducated, old male-dominated ACJU. Who has blatantly appointed itself as the all-powerful middleman between GOD and Sri Lanka’s Muslim women? WHAT A TRAVESTY!

    • 9
      0

      Thanks, Ben Hurling,
      .
      You have stated that firmly and clearly. I hope that readers will also note what I did last Wednesday, apart from my stating consistently for more than two years that MMDA has to amended, at least to ensure that underage girls are not “sold” into marriage, and for exactly the same reason as you have given.
      .
      Every child born into this world is born free, and has a right to a decent life. Of course that child is born to parents who will nurture it and bring it up according to their world view. I have no desire to “UnMuslim” any child born into a Muslim family, but there must be definite limits to how much a child can be “exploited”. Some words must be put within quotes because the exact meaning is not usually clear. There has to be discussion, and we must have good will on all sides.
      .
      These are things that I have been stating consistently in response to all articles on MMDA in Colombo Telegraph. There were so many articles: some by liberal Muslims like Dr Amir Ali, and the late Izzeth Hussain; others by Muslim women. I hope that those readers who want to rush into comments now, make a survey of who said what, and when.

      I am also very conscious of the fact that this MMDA was imposed on Muslim women by the D.S. Senanayake Government about 1951 to please Muslim politicians. We, Sinhalese, collectively, imposed this miserable lot on some Muslim women. (Let us not exaggerate, outrageously young child marriages are not common.) and I was wanting ALL the members of Parliament to bulldoze this amended legislation.

    • 8
      0

      PART TWO
      .
      Few of our legislators do anything out of conviction; that is a problem.
      “Bulldoze” that, since there seems to be no other way, but please, remember that we must be gentle and humble about how we interfere in any other person’s life. And the less we talk about Prophet Mohamed’s wives etc, the better.

      I now make my a fortiori claim on the basis of what I did on Wednesday
      the 29th of May 2019. I pressed home my complaint against a fellow Sinhalese who had sent hate mail on WhatsApp. The group was connected with one of the few schools with students from the four major religions found in Sri Lanka on its roll,. Please see here:
      .
      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/moderate-muslims-must-make-moral-intervention-push-for-reforms-against-radicalization/
      .
      and also here:
      .
      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/is-choice-limited-to-heartless-gota-hopeless-ranil-clueless-sira/comment-page-2/?unapproved=2274525&moderation-hash=832b4b05d576869283adf24980e4fb83#comments
      .
      I’ve kept doing what I could to contain the anti-Muslim hysteria that followed the Easter 2019 bombings. Most “influential adults” have been hypocritical in statements and actions. I wanted the hypocritical Anglican-Priest Headmaster of the school also arraigned for doing absolutely nothing. To be fair, I must state that the problems between the Priest and me have been unsettled for some time, and have been getting ever worse – but because of doings of this sort. I’ve begun to feel that we’d be better off without any of these humbug religions.
      .
      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/national-introspection-in-the-aftermath/
      .
      I behaved with respect and quiet restraint towards all persons at the Police Station last Wednesday. I told Inspector Bandara, before whom this Basnayake and I appeared that I knew what I was doing complaining against a fellow Sinhlalese, just as I had countered Peradeniya University violence against Tamils in May 1983 . I ended up giving evidence against the Sinhalese thugs before the de Lanerolle Commission.

      • 6
        0

        May this land be bred with LOT more SINHALA-MAN -like citizens. Then only the message would have been passed to the rank and file.
        Better awareness about OUR communities = dramatic change of the society
        .
        Then those who get elected become the real MIRROR images of the people.
        :
        So long PEOPLE stay being harboured to their conditioned mind set, which has been made by VICIOUS politicians thorough seeding the racial seeds, nothing will change towards a better FUTURE in SRILANKA.
        .
        Anti-muslim SENTIMENTS of SINHALESE are growing and vicious forces make every effort to fuel the situation. This we should CRUSH by every means.
        .
        My hat off MY DEAR SINHALA MAN, you made my day again ! All the gods be blessed to you and your family !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        :

      • 3
        0

        Dear Buramphisincho,
        .
        Ah, you flatter me.
        .
        I know you have written sincerely, but I’m “good” only by fits and starts. And this is what Greek playwrights called the “persona”.
        .
        But sincere thanks to Colombo Telegraph as well. You see, this article is a lost and found thing. When I typed that two-part response to Ben Hurling there were about five other comments as well. Typed carefully (word limit!) about 3.00 a.m. yesterday (Saturday) and submitted an hour later.
        .
        Then, by about 9.00 am, it may have been, the article had disappeared. I wrote to CT, including as attachment the comments as a Word Documents. I have to do that trial run sometimes (not with this comment). CT, put it on, tacitly acknowledging their mistakes. Many people don’t want to confess fallibility. What better example than the rulers of our country?
        .
        So, thanks, Colombo Telegraph.

    • 0
      0

      Ben Hurling
      “Equality and Justice for all”.
      The MMDA needs reform.
      Very good and justifiable proposition.
      But for that to become a possibility will Buddhism set an example by climbing down from it’s ‘Foremost’ position in the country’s constitution?
      The we all in SL will become equal.

  • 18
    3

    There should be only one law for all in Sri Lanka, no Kandyan Act, no Thesavalamai, no Muslim Marriage act etc., let us all be Sri Lankans under one rule of law. Let us get rid of all political parties including UNP, SLFP, SLPP and religious and race based parties. Lets us to be fair to all, cancel all existing registrations of parties and get new parties registered. The change in political parties and one law for all should be the first step towards all of us being Sri Lankans rather than being Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays etc., and Hindus, Buddhists, Christians etc., and Kandyan, Jaffna Tamil, Indian Tamil, Batticaloa Tamil , low country Sinhalese etc.

  • 20
    12

    Sri Lanka government must consider the following in order to bring Sri Lanka under one common law to the entire country:
    1) No Halal food
    2)No Sharia Law
    3)No madrasah and race/religion basis schools
    4)No Languages other than Sinhala, Tamil and English
    5)No Thesawalamai law
    6)No Kandyan law
    7)No black ghost colour clothes for full body cover
    8) No niqab
    9) No Hijab
    10)Minimum age for marriage will be 18 yrs to everybody.
    11) No multiple marriages
    12)No Wahabism, Sufism, Salafism the violent form of islam etc.
    12)All buildings used by terrorist organisations banned must be destroyed by bulldozing and all these properties shall be confiscated.
    13)No loudspeakers to call for prayers.
    14) Everybody must accept Sri Lankan values if they ant to live in this country.
    15) No solidarity with Arabian peninsula.

    The government must take immediate action on the above before the situation leads to another explosion sooner than later with disastrous consequences.

    • 9
      4

      Nimal Tissa Wijethunga,

      “12)No Wahabism, Sufism, Salafism the violent form of islam etc.”

      Correction:

      Sufism is not violent. They love God and people.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith_of_Najd

      Wahhabism, Salafism and its clones are violent. They follow Mara , Satan, Iblis, per prescient Hadith of Najd.

      Para-Sinhala “Buddhism” and its clones are violent. They follow Mara. Ask the Para-Tamils, Para- Christians and Para- Muslims in the Land of Native Veddah Aethho.

      Pristine Buddhis is not violent. It is a philosophy not a religion. The monks turned it into a religion, and appointed themselves, the 3rd Gem of the so-called Triple Gem. The low IQ, 79, Para-Sinhala “Buddhists” worship the monks and prostrate themselves in front of them. What a racket!

      • 3
        1

        Bro Amarasiri.
        .
        See how many of the idiots have given ” likes ” above comment of Nimal Wijetunga.
        :
        I thought Germany was the most racial state, now only I clarify that SINHALA race ( I was also born to) is the most racial above any races on this lost planet.
        .
        Any civilized country you have got halal food, why not they should be available in OUR rotten island ? These men make this a terror state for no reasons. Just lack of information and not knowing who we really are. We are an another POOR nation to this worl only.
        If some funds would not have been offered to us, could we stand on our on foot ? are we comparablly similar to JEWs ? Some compare us with jews…. ? and they dont know that hundreds of LANKEN HOUSEMAIDS work for israel for such a long time.
        There are over 2 million of lanken labourers work for ME countries by cleaning their toilets and even being SEX slaves to rich arabs:

        • 2
          3

          Burampisigno, Yes. when Sinhalese talked about discrimination or the true situation or true facts, it is racism and for others, Nationalistic.

          What nonsense you are talking of and what is wrong to call for a common law to everybody living in Sri Lanka.

          I suggest you to first learn about what is racists and what is not? Hope that you are not insane as our current set of rulers are out of sense with intoxication.

          • 3
            1

            Now my guess became even more clearer that you should be born BP. No doubt about that.
            I have no doub tthe kind of men can only be rotten in the rotten island, not having seen the world.
            Where on earth you would have the kind o fstates you architect above.
            Only RESTRICT to arab region and some african tribal states.

            Should be we as one of the oldest democracies be identifed with such idiotic states ?
            :
            As for me, if SIRISENA, Rajakaseh with his clan would have been killed by EASTER sunday bombings, I would have gone on streets of london to celebrate my happiness for the SAKE of our SRILANKENS (anti-racists minorities) that have been longing to see multi culturalism be our identiy. What is the problem with having HALAL and NON-HALAL food outlets/shops, if we have signifcant numbers of muslims living in this country ?
            Should we as the majoratarian be FIRST CITIZENS and to condemn our minorities in many ways ?
            You should be an idiot not having the b asic knowledge about the world and real democraciies in this world. How can I be insane just because I dont bear your view ?
            I have never been a support of any kind of RACISTS be them in Europe or SL.

      • 1
        0

        Pristine islam advocates violence. Pristine budhism doesn’t.

        Neither para Muslim or para Buddhist aren’t violent. Para People are violent. So the question should be about which ideologies in there pristine form should be protected. To get those Para people to respect humanity. The one advocate violence? Or one advocate sensible ahimsa?

    • 5
      2

      Nimal Tissass Wijethungass

      “No madrasah and race/religion basis schools”

      What should we do with the following religious schools?:

      Ananda Central College
      Ananda College
      Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte
      Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama
      Buddhist Ladies’ College
      Dharmapala Vidyalaya
      Dharmaraja College
      Dharmasoka College
      Hewavitharana Maha Vidyalaya
      Kalutara Vidyalaya National School
      Kegalu Vidyalaya
      Kottawa Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya
      Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy
      Mahanama College
      Mahinda College
      Malimbada Sri Sumedha Maha Vidyalaya
      Maliyadeva College
      Maliyadeva Girls’ College
      Metta Dhama School, Weherahena
      Musaeus College
      Nalanda (Boys’) Central College
      Nalanda (Girls’) Central College
      Nalanda College, Colombo
      Nalanda Maha Vidyalaya, Elpitiya
      President’s College, Maharagama
      Pushpadana Girls’ College, Kandy
      Rahula College
      Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha
      Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya
      Sri Punyarathana Dhamma School
      Sri Rahula College, Kandy
      Sri Sumangala College
      Sujatha Vidyalaya
      Tissa Central College
      Vidyartha College
      Vijayaba National College
      Visakha Vidyalaya
      Wickramabahu Central College
      ….
      …..
      Hindu Colleges,
      …..
      …..

      • 3
        3

        Angoda Veddah,

        The above are not religious schools stupid Veddah as names only related to history of Sri Lanka and given accordingly. Are you trying to deny that.
        When you are in Sri Lanka, you accept the Sri Lankan values and otherwise you can leave to Arabian Penninsula or any other place that you want to maintain solidarity.

      • 5
        0

        Native,
        What about:
        St. Peter’s
        St. Bridget’s
        S. Thomas’
        Ladies’
        Bishops,
        St. Joesph’s
        Trinity
        Uduvil Girls’
        St. John’s, Jaffna
        Methodist College
        Zahira
        Hindu College
        S. Thomas’, Guruthalawa
        You name it missionary galore!

        • 3
          0

          Ben Hurling

          I am tired of educating this jackass.
          He will have to look for the details as I have marked …………… for them to fill in.
          I have mentioned Hindu College in my summary.

          You need to visit your local optician.

          Have your visited S. Thomas’, Gurutalawa?
          Beautiful place and school.

      • 1
        0

        N V
        There is a simple solution.
        Get rid of the names and introduce “numbers” instead.

    • 2
      1

      1) No Halal food

      Tell that to all the Sri Lankan food manufacturers like Maliban and others who export their products to Muslim nations.
      What a silly suggestion.

      • 2
        0

        Anil

        “What a silly suggestion.”

        What else did you expect?
        These noisy minority Sinhala/Buddhists fascists are blessed with natural tendency to self destruct.

    • 0
      0

      And no calling this a Buddhist country, but rather a Buddhist majority country, which is exactly what it is. Never will your suggestion work as it isin the realms of fantasy, when even basic human right laws and norms cannot be established.

      The closeness of Muslims with Arabic language and culture can never ever be severed, since the Holy Quran is written and read only in Arabic, and not in any other language. The Prophet of Islam lived and died in Saudi Arabia. Every Muslim must undertake a visit to all of the Holy sites in Saudi Arabia at least once in a lifetime. Any Constitutional rights given can never be withdrawn or taken back, arbitrarily, as it becomes a rights violation. Most of the money earned through labor force is from Arab and Middle Eastern countries.All of the Petrol and gas to fuel our economy has ties with Middle Eastern countries.When our country is struck by calamities, like natural disasters the Arab countries are alays at hand to help.

      • 2
        0

        Andy

        “And no calling this a Buddhist country, but rather a Buddhist majority country, which is exactly what it is.”

        You imply majority people in this island are Buddhists.
        Are you sure about it?
        What I know and what I hear about them is that the majority are stupid.
        The rest are Sinhala/Buddhist fascists.

      • 3
        1

        Yes Buddhism in Pali , Hinduism in Sanskrit , even now to learn Christianity properly we should have a good knowledge of ancient Hebrew , Greek and Aramaic. So what is so special about Arabic with Islam. All other religions also have close connections to other ancient languages. All other non Arab Muslims nations do not put Arabic on a pedestal ,just because the Koran is written in Arabic, only you fake Arab , largely low caste converted Tamil Dravidian immigrant Muslims from South India , now incorrectly calling yourselves Sri Lankan Moors do, just because your selfish extremist politicians and elite like Rishard , Hisballah have brainwashed you fanatical extremists morons , to hate your own Tamil heritage and consider yourselves as some sort of Arabs, that you badly want to worship even Arab Pooh. Koran is written in Arabic so Arabic name boards, trying to change ancient Tamil place names to Arabic names, Arabic dress, Arabic culture, Arabic Hijab, Abaya, Nikab, Burkha, Arabic Wahhabi Islam instead of Tamil Sufi Islam, Arabic food instead of South Asian Islamic food. Look at the all the Ifthar meals now served for the local Muslims in all the hotels. no South Asian Islamic food like Biriyani , Pillaf , Wattalapam( that originated from Kerala, Vati appam) but all sorts of Arabic dishes .

      • 2
        1

        contd: You people were gradually trying to convert the ancient Tamil Hindu east into Arabic Wahhabi Islamic Caliphate, with the help of the stupid short sighted Sinhalese, who were giving everything to you on a platter , thinking this will marginalise and disposes the Tamils of their lands, but you people shrewdly had other ideas. Sharia Islamic university and the next move would have been to declare Arabic as one of the official languages of the east and then it would have gradually replaced Tamil in the east. Now everything backfired. However I agree with your comment that Sri Lanka in not a Sinhalese Buddhist country but a Buddhist majority country . It is a multi ethnic and multi religious land where the Sinhalese and Buddhist are only a majority here but was and still is not solely their country. There are other people of different cultures, ethnicity and religions living in this island and large parts of the island from ancient times was Tamil and Hindu , where the Sinhalese had no look or peep into it until 1948. Even now despite all killing , colonisation, land grabbing around 25%=30% of the land is still Tamil. The Sinhalese and Buddhist only became a big majority , thanks to the Portuguese and Dutch importing hundreds of thousands of low caste Tamil indentured/slave labour to the south and west of the island to do menial service work and to work on the huge spice estates. Their Sinhalised descendants now make up 50%of the present day Sinhalese

    • 3
      0

      What kind of Ballige Putha this Nimal Tissa Wijethunga SHOULD be ?
      .
      I am born buddhist as many in the majority in this country but I respect all equal since we are all home sapiens of course except Rajapakshe clan filled with NITTAWAS.
      .
      Even in London, Paris, Berlin, they have Halal shops. They also have other shops that would not consider things under halal. All the various forms of shops are available considering the human rights of all coming from various walks of lives.
      :
      The case cant be different in our home country – where sinhala muslims, tamils and other minorities live in this country for ages. They should all be treated with the same spoon else, we will create a MIDDLE EAST STYLE country in our island.
      :
      Ballige puthas that calling themselves BUDDHISTs but trying to be obsequeous to some idiots and their agendas can only speed up ending up in SUDAN or the like terror states. Is that we want ? Definitely no.

      • 2
        3

        Burampi if you want or dare enough give a try to make a Middle East style country within Sri Lanka, you or any other will get the same fate as LTTE and Prabhakaran.

        Donkey does not know our books on Buddhism written in Pali, but we did not put pali language in road signs or any other.

        All so called practises hardly come to Sri Lanka just about 5-7 yrs in order to keep solidarity with Arabian peninsula.

        Tho wage buruwek Buddhist kiyannath epa, lajjai.

    • 1
      0

      All Buddhist And Hindu priests should cover their upper bodies fully. Add this as well. We do not want to see hairy bodies there.

      • 0
        0

        And both SIRISENA AND RAJAPAKSHE should uncover their lower bodies fully.
        :
        The aforementioned personatlies are the headache for inablity to reenforcement of rigorous law and order in this country.
        .
        If THREE FORCES are WHOLEHEARTED WITH PEOPLE, they should come forward and take over the state power. At least for a short period we should have a millitary govt in order to teach disipline, and how to be bound to law and order in a country. That can only be set through a short-time MILITARY govt.
        Law and order should first be taught to PALLE WATHTHE GE SIRISENA who is the incumbent president.
        Then THE NAKED pohottuwa led by BP Rajakshes. If RAJAPAKSHEs would have been blown into the very same manner, we were compelled to see lately on EASTER sunday, ….. our anger towards BP Rajakshes would not go down.
        He is the main cause of the real problems of this country.
        Be it make us PERMAMENT debtors to China
        or
        creating NEW FORM of ISLAMIC exxtremism
        or
        Creating new form of RACISM among so called buddhists
        or
        any kind of other sinister acts in order to topple the current GOVT. and grab the power to the silliest manner they tried it last October 2018.

        • 1
          0

          All paradeshi mentality and the people who carry that mentality shall be annihilated in the process of disciplining including Burampi.

          Rajapakshes given the right to live to all Sri Lankans and as a grattitude keep aside them according to Burampi.

          Yes, military can take over the government in order to annihilate Paradeshi, Wendeshi, Landeshi and Parangeen

  • 8
    9

    The irony in this country is that lunatics who are leading the campaign on ‘Sanhidiyawa’ want the native Sinhalyo to compromise, change, adjust according the whims and fancies of the people who came from other countries and settled here. Some dumb politician wanted to stop teaching history in schools to please ‘Para’ people. That crazy woman ‘Choura Regina’ wanted to change our history books to please ‘Para’ people. Native Sinhalayo have been forced to accept ‘Para’ things such as ‘Roman Dutch Law’, ‘Thesawalamei’, ‘Shariah Law’, road names written in Arabic etc., etc.

  • 1
    1

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 12
    2

    Let’s have ONE law for all Sri Lankan women where the legal marriageable age is the same, and let us give Muslim women rights and support, when it comes to divorce laws. Let us not follow the laws that Saudi Arabia has for their discriminated women, and not allow these backward thinking men to dominate the debate, and push their outdated demands. Time to end the debate and pass the laws. It is long, long overdue.

    The primitive laws allowing child marriage, and no child support for Muslim women, is what these uncivilized terrorists would have approved of. We should do better.

  • 0
    0

    “ The reform exercise must remain true to its principal constituency ”
    MPLRAG should understand that the political process in Lankawe is never true, not just for Muslim girls and women, but even to the Sinhala Buddhists, the backup force of the ruling class. It has been true only to ruling crooks. They should use their current influence to against government, as they need to understand that the government is rushing to push through because they too feel vulnerable for the IC. MPLRAG should be time conscious because government will back off again as soon as it finds ways to turn around their current weak situation to their advantage. MPLRAG may want to think about how cunningly turn it around in Jan, 2015 Ranil, New King and others when Sampanthar, Hakeem and Rishard supported to construct a serious government, for ruling class advantage like impunities, car permits, travel permits, bungalows and other luxuries.
    First step they can blindly implement Justice Saleem’s report. As it is a weak report, additional changes can be brought eventually. In a new Constitution, if a secular system is brought in, then Muslim women will be receiving the status of Western Muslim Women’s get (I.e. the one UN recommend).

  • 1
    0

    The Muslim Personal Law Reform Action Group (MPLRAG),

    “We do not consider All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) as representing the interests of the Muslim women and girls. Their past conduct demonstrates that they have contributed to the control and oppression in self-interest.”

    The MMDA reform recommendation proposed by the Justice Massoff committee has ben scuttled by ACJU. ACJU and the fundamentalists had no intention of reform. For them, the Quran has been preserved from Eternity, was not created, has no errors, notwithstanding the historical narrative from Islamic sources that it was the Uthmanic Codex, and that Prophet Mohamed had no opportunity to correct or Edit it.

    So, we have an Earth spread out like a carpet, and the Sun going around the spread out Earth, the illusion as seen by the 7th Century Arab tribes. Clearly, MMDA, the Quran and Hadith need reform, to be in conformity with facts and human progress.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith_of_Najd

    Then there s the Hadith. According to the Hadith of Najd the Wahhabi Salafies are the Satan, Iblis followers, mentioned multipole times in the Quran.

    “O Allaah bestow your blessings on our Shaam. O Allaah bestow your blessings on our Yemen.” The people said, “O Messenger of Allaah, and our Najd.” I think the third time the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said, “There (in Najd) will occur earthquakes, trials and tribulations, and from there appears the Horn of Satan.”

    ACJU will not reform MMDA, and will always cite the Quran and Hadith. So, reform will not come from them. It has to come from the State. Just see what Kamal Ataturk did in Turkey.

  • 4
    5

    MPLRAG concerns are genuine.
    The way non-Muslim interests are setting about the matter is most insensitive.
    But it is also time that bodies like MPLRAG made themselves heard louder in the community.

    • 1
      0

      Thanks, SJ.
      .
      It’s when I see comments like this that I say that although we may disagree on certain issues, there are many other places where our visions have much in common.
      .
      Some wonder how it is that Champa and I are polite to each other. It is because her concerns, too, are genuine. That doesn’t mean that I share her views, except ver occasionally.

  • 3
    1

    For everything, Maithripala sirisena, BBS, and bhikku Ghanasara and Sinhala-Buddhists are responsible. Muslim women should have freedom but only if they want. USA says Islamic expansion in Asia is one of their concerns. So, Dollar Kaakkas have to behave that way. So, it is mess. I heard, Rishad Barhiuddin’s Brother had sped away from Military check points. Because he had weapons in the vehicle. (this is a sure shot).

  • 7
    4

    Mr Nimala Tissa I would like to add five more points to your laudable list of 15 points
    16) No Poya Day monthly holiday; no loudspeakers in Mosques AND Buddhist temples
    17) No reserved seats in buses or other public places for monks and priests
    18) No religious education whatsoever in school premises
    19) No special place for Buddhism in Constitution – Repeal Chapter 2
    20) Declare Sri Lanka as a Secular State

    • 3
      2

      EW Golding,

      Yes, spot on.

      Also make the motto, “Religion is the Opium of the masses” .

      • 0
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        Amanasiri, Your problem seem to be too much opium. Is it coming from Afghanistan?

        • 1
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          H E.
          It’s local- grown and made in mother Lanka; quite potent.

    • 1
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      EWG do you want to end Christmas, Easter and Thai Pongal holidays too? What about May Day? Everybody is not a Socialist.

      • 1
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        Taraki

        “What about May Day? Everybody is not a Socialist.”

        May Day has nothing to do with socialism.
        It’s a day remember and celebrate workers.
        May day didn’t originate from Soviet Union, nor SJ’s China but from medieval Europe and it is also known as Labour Day in the USA the guardian of capitalism.

        If you are not gainfully employed you do not need to worry too much about labour day, May day.

    • 2
      4

      Golding, you can dream and live in your dreams. This is a sinhalese Buddhist country and so as it is and because of that great inheritence, all the other religions ,races are living harmoniously for ages.

      However, if you or anybody challenges it where all the problems. Besides, anybody does not like the inherited Sri Lankan values from the majority race and religion, they can leave this place.

    • 0
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      Yes, EW Golding.
      .
      When I saw Nimal Tissa Wijethunga’s fifteen points, I was wondering what my response should be. I saw that it is only with numbers 5 & 6 that he was granting that people other than Muslims should also compromise.
      .
      There are others less obvious – as you have realised: his number 13 and your 16 should be extended to include all forms of unnecessary noise pollution. Some noise pollution may be justifiable. For example, the Health Department sometimes blows some smoke in to premises to kill mosquitos. The machinery makes a good deal of noise.
      .
      But over-all, you’ve helped me organise my thoughts. So thanks.

      • 0
        0

        The list of unnecessary noises for me would include music in buses, speakers used by sweep-ticket sellers, fancy motor horns which often mislead others regarding the size of the vehicle (dazzling headlights have to be called LIGHT pollution.).
        .
        Actually, in the case of sweep tickets, although I don’t like to interfere with other people’s rights to indulge in activities harmful to themselves like gambling (smoking? other drugs?) I think that we must have definite programmes to end such activities. I must acknowledge here that I’m not being very objective. As I think that you all know, I’m now an old man. I did buy a sweep ticket once (“Hospital Sweep” it was called, way back in 1965), but I didn’t win. I understand that there are others who sometimes win quite large amounts.
        .
        And there is liquor. Some say a little is good for one’s health. I’ve not even sampled the stuff for thirty years (not really true – I’ll come to that) but the reason that I abstain is really that I’m stingy, and I don’t want to scrounge on others. I’ve referred above to a school. For the last eight years or so, we’ve not been allowed to have the AGM dinner in the College since liquor is bound to be consumed, and that will violate an Education Ministry ruling says Bishop Dhilo Canagasabey, although during school holidays.

      • 2
        0

        PART THREE
        .
        “Sampling liquor”.
        Sometimes I allow family members to over-ride my scruples and drag me along to an Anglican Church; and there I partake of “communion wine”. I don’t challenge it when people label me a hypocrite.
        .
        In such respects, I can’t even come close to a guy like the vegan Rajan Hoole. He goes along to church, but only for the singing and the 1548 language of the Liturgy. He doesn’t accept Communion, so he cannot be called a Christian – says he. Let’s say he’s barmy and leave it at that!
        .
        .
        All that doesn’t seem to matter much. But sexual orientation? I’d like to see a great deal of liberalisation there. And all accounts point to sex-workers being treated very shabbily everywhere. We must legalise, and have medical supervision.
        .
        For me, Mangala Samaraweera would make an excellent President of Sri Lanka. (Other candidates acceptable to me: Imtiaz Bakeer Markar, Nagananda Kodituwakku, Sarath Fonseka, Kumar Sangakkara)

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    MMDA shouldn’t be reformed; it should be banned.

  • 2
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    Why does MR needs bullet proof vehicle if he’s the darling of 99.9% Sinhal Buddhist Rasists?

    • 1
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      He knows dog eats dog

  • 1
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    So, age of marriage is the problem. What about consensual sex. Let’s go deep into the conversation. Do you know France is trying to bring The consensual age for sex for girls to 14. The problem is how you look at it. If a girl has consensual sex under age is ok but not if she marries and have the same sex

  • 1
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    All paradeshi mentality and the people who carry that mentality shall be annihilated in the process of disciplining including Burampi.

    Rajapakshes given the right to live to all Sri Lankans and as a grattitude keep aside them according to Burampi.

    Yes, military can take over the government in order to annihilate Paradeshi, Wendeshi, Landeshi and Parangeen

  • 1
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    One law of all ethnicities. One marriage law. All schools should be under education ministry & their sylubuses approved by the education ministry NOT by a religious ministry. Lastly no future school should be opened based on a religion or a race..

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