SLMC on Wednesday in Parliament declared that it rejected the new flag designed for the Eastern province, saying it does not symbolize the Muslim community of the area. Despite being government’s ally, SLMC leader Deputy Minister of Supplementary Crops Development, Hassan Ali, participated in the adjournment debate in the House and said the SLMC cannot accept this flag as it does not symbolize Muslims.

He said the SLMC members of the East at a party meeting recently have expressed their concern over this newly designed flag and the future of the Muslims in the area. He urged the government to design flag afresh which will symbolize the Muslim community.

The Deputy Minister alleged that lands belonging to Muslims in the East are being grabbed and recently some Muslim houses in Ashroff town have been burnt by some people, causing fear among local Muslims.

In response, Minister P. Dayaratne later said there is no move by anyone to grab the lands from the Muslims and to give others. He assured that the government would take steps protect the interest of Muslims in the East.

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