COLOMBO :The Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Rauff Hakeem,MP and Party Secretary, Nizam Kariapper, PC,MP, met recently with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, for a constructive discussion on pressing international and national issues,on Friday(20),at UN Office, Colombo.
The SLMC delegation welcomed the UN’s balanced and neutral perspective on the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza and the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel. They appreciated the UN’s principled stance on humanitarian protection and peacebuilding in the region.
Mr. Franche also raised concern over joint U.S.-Israel efforts that appear to politicize the delivery of humanitarian aid to victims of conflict—an issue that the SLMC leaders strongly resonated with, stressing that aid should never become a political tool.
The discussions also turned to critical domestic matters. The SLMC leadership raised deep concerns about the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Online Safety Act, expressing that these laws are increasingly being used in ways that may undermine civil liberties and democratic freedoms.
Rauff Hakeem MP called for a moratorium on the enforcement of both acts until a transparent process leads to the adoption of more acceptable, rights-compliant alternatives. Mr. Franche acknowledged these concerns and reaffirmed the UN’s ongoing engagement on democratic governance and human rights in Sri Lanka.
Importantly, Franche informed the SLMC delegation that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, is scheduled to visit Colombo next Tuesday. During this visit, Mr. Türk is expected to meet with all political party leaders in Parliament, including representatives of the SLMC, to further engage on matters of human rights and reconciliation.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to maintain open dialogue and continue collaboration on issues of peace, justice, and legislative reform.
