
A.M.M.MUZAMMIL
COLOMBO : Since assuming office, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ushered in a visionary era of governance. Entrusting the leadership of key institutions to professionals of impeccable integrity and exceptional expertise, his administration is firmly anchored in a mission of dedicated, transparent, and purposeful service to the public.
The recent appointment of Chartered Accountant Reyaz Mihular as the Chairman of the Hajj Committee represents a significant and timely milestone in the institution’s storied history. This organization, long mired in persistent allegations of corruption, now stands at the threshold of a promising era, poised to embrace impactful reforms, strengthened accountability, and a resurgence of public trust and credibility.
Reyaz Mihular, a distinguished and highly respected professional with an exemplary career, brings to this role a wealth of expertise and an unblemished reputation. Having served as the Regional Head for the Middle East and South Asia at KPMG, Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, and President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, as well as holding positions on the boards of several leading corporate entities, Mihular’s appointment unequivocally signals a renewed commitment to transparency, integrity, and professional excellence in the Haj Committee’s operations.
To address the immense logistical challenges associated with Hajj, the Saudi Arabian government annually allocates a 0.1% Hajj quota to each country, proportionate to its Muslim population. Under this structured system, Sri Lanka was allocated 3,500 pilgrim slots last year, which were distributed among various travel agents by the Hajj Committee.
Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage ordained by Almighty Allah, stands as a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it. Beyond being a religious duty, the journey to Makkah represents a profound act of worship, a deeply cherished aspiration, and a dream etched into the hearts of countless believers. For many Muslims of modest means, the Hajj is an endeavor made possible only through years of diligent saving, often drawing upon their lifelong resources to fulfill this ultimate act of devotion.
The Hajj Committee holds the critical responsibility of overseeing and ensuring that all services related to facilitating Sri Lankan Hajj pilgrims are effectively and satisfactorily managed. However, over the years, this noble mandate has often been overshadowed by politicization. Successive governments have appointed Hajj Committees that, rather than prioritizing the welfare of pilgrims, have been accused of favoring prominent travel operators. This practice has marginalized smaller operators, undermining fairness and equitable opportunities within the system, and eroding trust among stakeholders.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, reports surfaced indicating that Haj operators, allegedly with the tacit approval of the Haj Committee, blatantly violated regulations by facilitating the travel of nearly 800 pilgrims without adhering to the mandatory NRFC deposit requirement of USD 1,500 per pilgrim. These operators are reported to have charged each pilgrim approximately 2 million Sri Lankan Rupees—equivalent to about USD 5,440 at an exchange rate of LKR 367 per USD—raising significant concerns about compliance and transparency.
The allegations against the Haj Committee include a flagrant disregard for the mandatory NRFC deposit, effectively enabling operators to bypass the established regulations with impunity. These serious claims highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation and the implementation of stringent measures to restore integrity, accountability, and equitable practices within the system.
Another modus operandi previously employed by the Haj Committee was the deliberate allocation of the Haj quota to its preferred large-scale operators, systematically sidelining small-scale operators. This practice allowed influential mafias to dominate the Haj quotas, securing the lion’s share and imposing exorbitant fees on pilgrims. Consequently, economically disadvantaged pilgrims were left with no alternative but to bear excessive costs for undertaking the sacred journey of Haj.
Numerous legal cases (CA/WRIT/173/2024, CA/WRIT/714/2024, CA/WRIT/715/2024, and SC/CON/12/2024) have been instituted by aggrieved small-scale Haj operators against the Haj Committee, which remain pending before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. These cases vividly underscore the depth of corruption and the blatant abuse of power by the Haj Committee authorities.
The critical issue that demands thorough consideration is how the former chairman of the Haj Committee utilized funds to cover litigation expenses, including the hiring of eminent private lawyers to defend him in the aforementioned cases.
Moreover, a special “Haj Fund” exists, intended to support the pilgrimage and related initiatives. However, this fund has become a subject of serious allegations, with accusations of misuse and a lack of transparency in its management. Critics highlight that its operations are shrouded in mystery, raising concerns about accountability and ethical oversight.
Saudi Arabia previously issued approximately 150 “Bezza” privileged visas to Sri Lanka annually. However, with the tactful collusion of certain parties, a portion of these visas was reportedly sold at exorbitant prices, exploiting their exclusivity.
This malpractice eventually came to the attention of the Saudi authorities, who responded by reducing the issuance to only 30 such visas last year. The pressing question remains: who was responsible for orchestrating this scandal, which not only tarnished the integrity of the visa system but also jeopardized the goodwill between the two nations?
I humbly urge the newly appointed Haj Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Reyaz Mihular, to take decisive action and streamline the allocation of Hajj quotas, amounting to over 5 billion rupees, in a fair, accountable, and transparent manner.
It is imperative to implement robust and stringent measures to dismantle the entrenched influence of Hajj-operation mafias. Such reforms are essential to safeguard the dignity, integrity, and sanctity of the Hajj process, ensuring that this sacred journey remains accessible and equitable for all aspiring pilgrims, irrespective of their financial or social standing.
A “System Change” is urgently required to build a framework that genuinely serves and facilitates intending pilgrims. Such a system should enable them to fulfill their religious obligations of Hajj with ease, peace of mind, and at an affordable cost, while prioritizing fairness, accessibility, and the preservation of the spiritual sanctity of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.