ACMC warns of 'dangerous outcomes' for ethnic minorities

The All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) has warned that any constitutional amendments demanded by Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government to weaken parties that represent the various ethnic groups of the island will have "dangerous outcomes" for ethnic harmony in the country.

Rishad Bathiudeen, ACMC party leader and MP for the Vanni District told Sri Lanka’s parliament that the "President’s intention, to amend the constitution appears to be aimed at reducing the power of minority political parties among others."

"These parties grow in to being since major political parties do not have 'political space' for their weak voices," he added referring the country’s major Sinhala political parties. 

"There is no doubt that if the minorities are thrown out, ethnic harmony and reconciliation achieved from hard work over a period of time, would meet a sad end," the former Minister observed.

"What is the expectation of the President when he tries to close our voices in this way?," he inquired. “Is it not clear of the possible dangerous outcomes for Sri Lanka’s ethnic harmony and reconciliation from such dangerous and undemocratic acts?"
 
Bathiudeen however said the lack of Muslim ministers in Sri Lanka’s latest cabinet is fine as the President’s policy statement delivered on January 3 in parliament affirmed that "the benefits of development should reach every group of people."