Hakeem says the Muslims were not consulted in preparing the JM

Hakeem described his meeting with the visiting Norwegian deputy foreign minister Vidar Helgessen was ‘disappointing.’

He said the Muslims were not consulted in preparing the proposed JM between the government and the Tamil Tigers.

“I was earlier given an assurance by some Muslim ministers that the Muslims will also be a party," Hakeem told BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala).

The former minister said it was clear after talks with Helgessen that the Muslims would not be a party to the future peace talks.

“This is a very serious situation. The Muslims cannot accept the JM as it is now.”

Hakeem said the Muslim community will make a united response to the JM after further negotiations with other Muslim leaders.