Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader MP Rauff Hakeem says his recent speech in Sammanthurai has been misinterpreted, clarifying that it was his belief that the SLMC must retain the stronghold it has in Sammanthurai.
“Across the country, we’re contesting as the SLMC in over 100 Pradeshiya Sabhas. It is only a few of our members who are contesting through the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in the upcoming Local Government Elections,” MP Hakeem explained.
Addressing a political rally in Ampara, MP Hakeem said this has been misinterpreted, stating that the SJB remains an ally of the SLMC.
“I too once contested under the SJB in Kandy to enter Parliament. But what I meant in my speech was that Sammanthurai must not be given to the SJB, as they are contesting against us in Sammanthurai. We’re the powerful party in this area. So while we are working with the belief that our party will gain power, there are some of our own rejected candidates who are contesting through the SJB,” he said.
MP Hakeem further said that these candidates contesting under the SJB were spreading false information that they are doing so with the blessings of the SLMC Leader.
“I had to respond to this. It was my attempt to explain this situation, which resulted in this misinterpretation,” he said, adding that the SJB Leader had also requested the SLMC to provide a clarification on the statement.
“It was not me speaking against the SJB. But I did say the SJB was powerless in that area. We cannot prioritise the SJB in that area, right?” he added.
The SLMC leader was referring to an earlier statement he made in Ampara during a political rally, where he said the “telephone symbol” is outdated and should not be supported in the upcoming polls. (Newswire)
“The SJB has acquired the support of only a few SLMC candidates to contest under their party for this election. Some people are misinterpreting my speech. I only said not to vote for the SJB, as the SLMC was contesting as a separate party under a different symbol in Sammanthurai… pic.twitter.com/WhmTyUg0Dr
— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) April 28, 2025