by Franklin R. Satyapalan
Western Region Development Minister M. H. Mohamed yesterday said that all communities — Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, must be able to make sacrifices for the cause of peace.

"All of us want peace and a dignified peace and for that we must all be ready to make sacrifices,’’ he said.

Mohamed, who is one of the most senior parliamentarians in the country and an elder statesman of the Muslims said he was confident that the Muslims of the north and the east will have the same rights and privileges enjoyed by the Tamils.

"Dr. Balasingham’s speech has specifically mentioned the rights of the Muslims and the Sinhalese,’’ he noted.

The minister made clear that if he felt that arrangements inimical to the interests of the Muslims in the north-east are being made, he would not hesitate to express his protest.

Mohamed recently led a delegation of over two dozens Muslim parliamentarians from all parties for talks with LTTE representatives in the Eastern Province.

Asked for his views on the composition of the delegation that would represent Muslim interests at negotiations with the LTTE, he said SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem will look after the interests of the Muslims of the north-east.

"But we will be carefully watching the discussions and arrangements that are being agreed on. If we feel that any such will interfere with the rights and liberties of the Muslims in the northeast, I will certainly not delay to make my feelings known at the right time,’’ Mohamed said.

He expressed the belief that the LTTE wants peace after listening to Dr. Balasingham’s speech in Thailand recently. He was confident that Muslim interests will be protected saying that the Muslims too have equal rights just as much as the Sinhalese and Tamils.

Mohamed said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured Muslim parliamentarians that he will ensure the protection of the rights of north eastern Muslims in the north and east.

"We have confidence in these assurances made by the prime minister who is working hard to ensure a permanent peace for all communities of our motherland," he said.