All Muslim Members of Parliament in Sri Lanka, representing both the government and opposition, have urged the Minister of Religious Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, to secure the release of a consignment of the Holy Quran in Tamil, held by Sri Lanka Customs since May 16, 2024.The MPs describe it as an unlawful act violating Muslims’ fundamental rights.
The joint appeal, signed by all Muslim MPs, including Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Muneer Mulaffer, states that the consignment (Container No. FSCU 8233306) was detained following the interference of a former Defence Ministry Secretary who claimed to act on behalf of the government. These Tamil translation copies were printed by the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex in Saudi Arabia, a globally recognised authority for Quranic publications.
Lawmakers highlighted that identical consignments from the same institution had previously been cleared without objection and are already available in Sri Lankan Muslim households and digital platforms. They stressed that singling out the Tamil Quran while allowing Arabic versions violates constitutional protections under Chapter III, which guarantees equality before the law and freedom of religion.
The MPs condemned the discriminatory formation of an ad-hoc review committee to assess Islamic publications. They urged the govt. to restore the rights of Sri Lankan Muslims to access their sacred text in their own language.