Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs

## Summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer delivered a speech condemning the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, asserting that violations of national sovereignty and military force cannot be accepted as legitimate means of resolving disputes, and that dialogue and diplomacy must prevail. He emphasised Sri Lanka's direct stake in the conflict, noting that approximately one million Sri Lankan citizens work in the Gulf region, and acknowledged the economic vulnerability of Sri Lanka—still recovering from bankruptcy—should the conflict escalate globally. The Deputy Minister also criticised those seeking to exploit public anxiety over the war for domestic political gain, characterising attempts to spread panic about fuel shortages or create artificial crises as unconscionable. He concluded by reaffirming the Government's position that all nations must respect international law and sovereignty, and called for a swift return to peace in the region.

Deputy Minister Mulaffer defended the government's record by noting that policy commitments were made within a five-year mandate, not a single year. He responded to allegations by an SJB MP concerning the suitability of nominees to the Wakf Board and mosque trustee bodies, rejecting characterisations of those nominees as anti-social and accusing the opposition of reviving communal politics for electoral gain. He stated that the government would ensure Wakf Board appointments are properly vetted, including through intelligence reports where necessary, to maintain the institution's credibility, while clarifying that the Board has not yet been formally appointed and that only nominations have been submitted. He also cautioned against maligning the broader Muslim community and drew a contrast between his government's commitment to coexistence and what he described as past communal incitement by political opponents.

Deputy Minister Mulaffer alleged that an unnamed Eastern politician is conspiring to block a Saudi-funded housing project in Nuraichcholai, which involves 500 houses, by inciting racist protests in the South, motivated by political self-interest. He also criticized an unnamed former minister for failing to resolve a road issue despite having the ministerial authority to do so. Regarding his Ministry, he stated that mosques should not be used for political purposes and committed to taking action against the politicization of religious places under the current administration.

This appears to be a very brief procedural interjection rather than a substantive speech. Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer requested that another Member hold their question or point until he had finished speaking, indicating he was in the middle of delivering remarks when interrupted.

Deputy Minister Mulaffer defended the government's extension of emergency powers following Cyclone "Ditva," arguing the measure is solely aimed at expediting disaster relief and reconstruction, with teams deployed across multiple districts. He rejected Opposition criticism by citing historical precedents of emergency misuse under previous governments, including during the JR Jayewardene era and the 2017 Meethotamulla garbage dump collapse under the Yahapalana Government. He also responded to questions raised about the Mannar–Puttalam road, asserting that Opposition members who held Cabinet portfolios for approximately 25 years failed to address the issue themselves, and noted that Minister Bimal Rathnayake had already addressed the matter under Standing Order 27(2) the previous day.

Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer made a brief procedural motion proposing that Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda assume the Chair of the parliamentary session.

Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer responded to a personal challenge from Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, who had questioned his political conscience during debate. Mulaffer countered by questioning Bathiudeen's own political record, asserting that the public is well aware of it, and tabled a court judgment as documentary evidence in support of his position.