Local Administration Must Not Be Divided on Ethnic Lines – Nizam Kariapper

05-Aug-2025

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Nizam Kariapper, Secretary-General of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Member of Parliament, stated that he has received a written assurance from the government that local administrative divisions will not be formed based on ethnicity.

Speaking at a discussion held on August 3, 2025, at Oluvil Rest House regarding the Kalmunai sub-secretariat issue, Kariapper emphasized that he has no intention of politicizing this matter or using it to stir ethnic sentiments for political gain. He expressed his commitment to protecting Tamil-Muslim relations and working with a sense of responsibility.

Also participating in the discussion were Digamadulla district MPs M.S. Uthumalebbe, Tahir Ashraff, and Abdul Wasith, along with representatives from all Kalmunai mosques and civil society organizations.

Kariapper reiterated his stance that there should be no injustice toward Tamils in Muslim-majority areas or Muslims in Tamil-majority areas. 

If any grievances arise related to land, funding, or administrative decisions, he proposed the establishment of district-level committees with representatives from both communities to resolve issues constructively.

He acknowledged past complaints regarding unfair administrative changes, such as in Grama Niladhari divisions, and emphasized the need for resolving such matters through dialogue with community leaders. Ethnic-based politics, he warned, would lead to adverse consequences and weaken interethnic relationships.

Referring to past experiences, he noted that ethnic conflicts and brutal killings were often influenced by foreign intelligence agencies, including Mossad and Israel, during previous governments, and the bitter memories from such incidents must not be forgotten.