VZCZCXRO3992
OO RUEHBI RUEHLMC
DE RUEHLM #1387/01 2820628
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 090628Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6938
INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0547
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0450
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 7437
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 5575
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 4060
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1437
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 4113
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 0284
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 3202
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 8034
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5653
RUEHON/AMCONSUL TORONTO PRIORITY 0413
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2361
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001387 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS 
MCC FOR D NASSIRY AND E BURKE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: MUSLIM LEADERS VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT LAND RIGHTS 
AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 
 
REF: A. COLOMBO 1106 
 
     ¶B. COLOMBO 977 
 
¶1.  (U)  SUMMARY: On October 2, Ambassador hosted prominent 
Muslim leaders for a roundtable discussion on Muslim issues 
to mark the holy month of Ramadan.  Participants noted the 
absence of Al-Qaida and other radical Islamist terror groups 
but expressed concern about a growing Wahhabi presence, and 
the need to address social problems within the Muslim 
community before radical ideas begin to resonate with the 
youth.  Participants expressed concern about land rights for 
Muslims in both the Eastern Province and the North-Western 
Province.  Despite historically good relations with both 
Hindus and Buddhists, Muslims now face some resistance to 
their activities, even in Colombo.  For the most part, 
however, they remained optimistic about relations between 
Muslims and both Sinhalese and Tamils and confident that Sri 
Lankan Muslims would remain moderate and peaceful. 
Ambassador assured the Muslim leaders that the U.S. is paying 
close attention to religious freedom and other concerns 
raised during the discussion and regularly encourages the GSL 
to listen to and address the concerns of the Muslim 
community.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U)  On October 2, Ambassador hosted prominent Muslim 
leaders for a roundtable discussion on Muslim issues. 
Participants included Principal of Zahira College T.K. Azoor, 
former Attorney General Shibly Aziz, Chairman of the Muslim 
Peace Secretariat A.M.M. Faaiz, and Chairman of the Islamic 
Center of Sri Lanka M.H. Mohamed. 
 
Wahhabi Influence Growing 
------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (U)  Participants noted that Islam in Sri Lanka has 
traditionally been both moderate and peaceful.  Lately, 
however, they observe a growing Wahhabi presence, based 
mostly in the town of Kattankudy in Eastern Province. 
Fortunately, they said, there are not yet any "jihadi" groups 
present in Sri Lanka.  Muslim leaders have made a point of 
teaching youth to "shun this path."  They expressed a concern 
however, that if social problems within the Muslim community 
are not addressed, radical ideas may begin to resonate. The 
growing influence of the Wahhabis has led to intra-religous 
tensions and increased intolerance of minority Muslim sects 
such as the Sufis. 
 
Concerns About Land and Property Rights 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U)  Participants expressed concern about land rights for 
Muslims.  They are being pushed by "both sides" (i.e., 
Sinhalese and Tamils) in the East, they said.  Earlier, the 
LTTE took Muslim lands, and now, the Sinhalese are working to 
reduce the presence and influence of Muslims in the East.  In 
the North-Western Province town of Puttalam, thousands of 
internally displaced persons from the early 1990s remain in 
camps, mainly Tamils evicted by the LTTE from Jaffna.  Many 
are unable to get land for housing or obtain business 
licenses. 
 
Facing New Levels of Discrimination from Buddhists 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶5.  (U)  Historically, Muslims have had good relations with 
both Hindus and Buddhists in Sri Lanka.  According to some 
participants, however, the Sinhalese community feels 
threatened now and is reacting against Muslims.  In Colombo, 
they said, there is resistance to construction of new 
mosques.  They are unable to obtain permits to build, and if 
 
COLOMBO 00001387  002 OF 002 
 
 
they use homes as mosques, neighbors complain.  They noted 
that the Government is using policies such as a proposed new 
noise ordinance to limit Muslim activities.  Under the new 
law, they would not be allowed to issue the call to prayer 
over loudspeakers. 
 
U.S. Sensitive to Muslim Issues 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U)  Ambassador assured the Muslim leaders that the U.S. 
is paying close attention to the concerns raised during the 
discussion.  He noted that the Embassy is regularly 
encourages the GSL to listen to and address the concerns of 
the Muslim community and to solicit direct input from local 
communities when making policy decisions, particularly on 
sensitive issues like land rights. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  COMMENT:  The roundtable participants seemed eager 
to share their concerns and appreciative of an audience with 
the U.S. Embassy.  They welcomed U.S. intervention with the 
GSL to encourage fair treatment of Muslims.  For the most 
part, however, they remained optimistic about relations 
between Muslims and both Sinhalese and Tamils and confident 
that Sri Lankan Muslims would remain moderate and peaceful. 
BLAKE