Sri Lanka Muslim ministers resign over Easter suicide bombing allegations

Nine Muslim ministers holding top positions in Sri Lankan government resigned on Monday to allow authorities to investigate allegations against some of m on links to an Islamic extremist group which was blamed for dely Easter suicide bombings.

Muslim politicians in government also protested what y term government's inability to ensure safety of Muslim mirity who constitute 9 per cent of island's 21 million population.

Following April 21 attacks that claimed 258 lives, some Muslim politicians representing government came under criticism for ir alleged support extended to rising Muslim militancy.  

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishath Bathiyuen was accused of supporting ISIS linked local Islamist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) which carried out attacks.

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Sinhala majority nationalists were demanding sacking of Industry and Commerce Minister Bathiyuen. Opposition h moved a vote of confidence against Bathiyuen in Parliament accusing him of aiding and abetting NTJ.

re are 19 Muslims among 225-member Parliament and nine of m held Cabinet, state and deputy ministerial positions.

"Until security of people is ensured and until investigations are done by police's Crime Investigations Department (CID) is finalised we will stay as government back benchers," main Muslim party leer Rauff Hakeem told reporters.

We took this decision as a responsible community who is keen on ensuring reconciliation and peace in country," Kabir Hashim, a senior minister, said.

He said since Easter Sunday attacks, Muslim community h volunteered to give information on NTJ.

Hakeem said Muslim community is concerned over arrests of some incent Muslims for alleged connections to Easter Sunday suicide bombings that claimed 258 lives.

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In wake of bombings, majority Sinhala community mobs attacked Muslim-owned properties in towns rth of capital killing one Muslim man and leaving hundreds of homes, shops and mosques vandalised.

Muslim ministers quit ir posts after two Muslim provincial goverrs resigned Monday after thousands of people, including majority Buddhist community monks, launched a protest in pilgrim city of Kandy, demanding ir sacking for allegedly supporting Islamist extremists responsible for Easter suicide bombings.

ir resignations were demanded by a Buddhist monk parliamentarian, Athuraliye Rathana. He ended his 4-day hunger strike held in central town of Kandy after anuncement of goverrs' resignations came.

Hakeem main Muslim party leer said that police must hold a proper inquiry and punish anyone if terror group h been supported by m.