MR has not made Maximum use of the Opportunity that is in place Today to Resolve National Issue and Bring about a Peaceful Coexistence for All..!!!

DISGRUNTLED MYOWN MUSTAFFA DECIDES TO GO IT ALONE

By Yohan Perera

Deputy Minister of Higher Education M. M. Mustaffa said yesterday that he had quit the government and had decided to contest the up coming presidential election as he was frustrated with all the parties he had served during his career.

Mr. M. M. Mustaffa said he was not able to work for the people during his stay in the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the UNP or while in the present government and that he was left with no other choice but to go it on his own. He said he would not join the main opposition UNP after quitting the government as the SLMC which blocked him in the past was with the UNP.

Citing reasons for quitting the government he said he was not allowed to do anything for his electorate Kalmunnai even after being sworn in as a Minister in 2007. Revealing some more reasons for his departure from the government, Mr. Mustaffa said he had written to the President complaining about the situation facing him in June 2008 and had decided to vacate the Ministry as he did not get a satisfactory response from him.

Criticizing the government he said it has not made maximum use of the opportunity that is in place today to resolve the national issue and bring about a peaceful coexistence among all communities.

Explaining his vision for the country he said devolution of power is not possible today given the way the constitution is today and therefore one must concentrate on what is possible. He therefore said making English the mode of education and administrative language is essential while a transparent and fair process to enter universities and grade one admissions should be in place. Coming up with more suggestions he said unemployable degree programmes should be suspended while the salaries of academics doubled.

Referring to the land issues he said land in the North and the East should be handed over to their original owners because there was a fear among communities, especially Tamils, that their lands are being given to others. “The victory over terrorism last year will mean nothing if these things are not done,” he said.

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