07 November, 2008 - Published 16:49 GMT

Muslims protest 'racist' remarks

Muslims in Sri Lanka have protested in the capital, Colombo against an alleged 'discriminatory remark' by a Cabinet minister.

Minister of Environment, Patali Champika Ranawaka, has reportedly described the Muslim minority in Sri Lanka as 'outsiders'.

They called on the government to publicly announce whether the minister's remarks are the policy of the government.

Mr. Ranawaka is a leader of the, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) which supports President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government.

The leader of the Muslim Liberation Front (MLF) Mujiber Rahuman, accused the government of 'double standards'.

While appointing a cabinet committee to probe into minister P Chandrsekaran's remarks President Rajapaksa is silent on Minister Ranawaka's statement, he said.

'Commission' for Chandrasekaran

Minister Chandrasekaran, the leader of the Up Country Peoples Front (UPF), has publicly supported Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's protests over Sri Lanka's military campaign in the North.

"Champika Ranawaka always speaks racism; provokes racism. Why is there no commission on Champika," Mujiber Rahuman questioned.

Sandeshaya could not contact Minister Ranawaka for his response despite repeated attempts.

Muslim shops were closed in Colombo protesting against the minister's remarks.

A Muslim businessman who attended the protest said that police threatened them to open the shops.

But Senior Assistant Superintendant of Police Premamalal Ranagala told BBC Sandeshaya that they only made a request to open the shops.