"Grew dates in Kaththankudy because it is conducive to the climate" -- Hizbullah

"Grew dates in Kaththankudy because it is conducive to the climate" -- Hizbullah

Former governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah who expressed his opinion in the presence of the special working committee in connection with the Easter attack responded to many sensational points raised. 

He said that though Muslims mean a minority section in Sri Lanka; but a majority sect in the world as he mentioned earlier for the purpose of dispelling the fears of Muslim public after the Easter Sunday attack and to encourage them. He further said that everybody of Thowheed Jamath are not terrorists
and that it was media institutions who branded the Batticaloa university as a Sharia university and that foreign overseas dates were cultivated in Kaththankudy because it was a plant that could stand for the dry climate there. 

The meeting was convened last evening (13) with chairman of parliament special working committee, deputy speaker, Mr. Ananda Kumarasiri taking the leadership seat. This is what Mr. L.A.M. Hizbullah, former governor of Eastern province said giving evidence in front of the parliament special working committee:

"I was appointed to the Eastern provincial council in 1988. Was selected to parliament in 2003. After that I was appointed from the national list as a member of parliament. I also functioned as a deputy minister of the cabinet. 

Mr. Ravi Karunanayaka: You mentioned that Muslims though a minority in Sri Lanka, that they are a big majority in the world. Are such statements correct?

Mr. Hizbullah: Public in the Eastern province were in fear. I made that statement in order to dispel their fright. I said that in the mosque. So saying I encouraged the Muslim people. I asked them to back once again to carry on with their trading activities. 

Mr. Ravi Karunanayaka: Do you still remain in that standpoint?

Mr. Hizbullah: No. This is a Buddhist country. I said that in parliament also (a voice recording was played).

Mr. Karunanayaka: Do you know Zaharan?

Mr. Hizbullah: Yes. He is a good debater. During election time he summons politicians. It was not only I who went to meet him. There were young people with him.

Mr. Karunanayaka: But he is a terrorist. 

Mr. Hizbullah: He was not a terrorist in 2015. At that time all candidates went to meet him. Zaharan rmised to give us support. On that occasion he imposed some conditions on us. Later, because of a certain incident he broke off with me. He worked against me. Therefore I lost. There was no other who worked against me. 

Mr. Ravi Karunanayaka: He was issued a warrant. 

Mr. Hizbullah: Yes. But the police could not apprehend him. At one time we protested against Zaharan. I have not even helped Zaharan. We worked well with Zaharan. 

Mr. Jayampathy Wickramaratna, deputy chairman of working committee: Were those of Zaharan's people connected to the army?

Mr. Hizbullah: Yes ... there were small, small connections in 2015. Not all. Specially the person called Niyaz. 

Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa: When the name Zaharn was mentioned people went to meet him because he had a big power?

Mr. Hizbullah: Zaharan worked for Maithripala Sirisena. I worked for Mahinda Rajapaksa. He may had 2000 votes with him. 

Mr. Wickremaratna: Zaharan worked against other faiths? But he was given permission by police to make use of loudspeakers. 

Mr. Hizbullah: Yes ... got a permit. He went on spreading hatred ... he got he necessary licenses. Zaharan was in a number of groups. But stayed in a single group only for a few days ... would have misunderstandings and would leave. 

Mr. Ravi Karunanayaka: Do you reject ISIS?

Mr. Hizbullah: I totally reject. I said that in parliament also. I did not imagine that he would trn out to be a terrorist. When I came to hear from news, I was amazed. 

Mr. Wickramaratna: Zaharan released statements of hatred? Obtained permits for loudspeakers?

Mr. Hizbullah: Yes, you are right. He did not endorse views of others. He used to say that our opinions are incorrect. But he never told to attack those of other religions. Because there are only a few people are with me ... he was against it. 

Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa: Have you at any time complained to police about Zaharan?

Mr. Hizbullah: I have complained about various troubles from him. But I did not know that he was a terrorist. There may not be any other person who is happy about his loss, than I. He was not in the village after 2017. We do not know what he did from outside. We got news that he had gone abroad. Some others left the village with Zaharan. One of them is Niyaz. 

Mr. M.A. Sumanthiran: Did you see the video containing hatred statements of Zaharan after the Digana incident?

Mr. Hizbullah: I saw those after the Easter day attack.

Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa: Had security forces  informed you in advance about these attacks?

Mr. Hizbullah: Nobody told me. 

Professor Ashu Marasingha: A motor cycle was blown up in Kaththankudy. Are you aware of that incident?

Mr. Hizbullah: Yes ... the security forces informed me. They also asked me to take care. 

Mr. Rauf Hakeem: Did other political parties encourage him? 

Mr. Hizbullah: I don't think so. 

Mr. Ravi Karunanayaka: Is Kaththankudy an area where terrorism takes place> 

Mr. Hizbullah: No. There is no law in the country preventing useage of the Arabic language. It is not illegal. Arab tourists come to that location. That is why boards were displayed in Arabic language. 

Mr. Ashu Marasingha: Date are found grown along roads in Kaththankudy. Why was that done?

Mr. Hizbullah: Since it a tree that could stand the climate in the area, dates were chosen. 

Mr. Ashu Marasingha: Then palm trees? 

Mr. Hizbullah: Palm is alright, but we chose dates. 

M.A. Sumanthiran: You said sometime back that if the North and East would be joined together, the country would be pool of blood ... that weapons will be taken. 

Mr. Hizbullah: The Muslims are against it. If it was done ... such a thing can take place. It is the responsibility of we politicians to prevent something like that. 

Mr. Ashu Marasingha: When was the Hira Foundation started?

Mr. Hizbullah: It was registered under a limited company in 1995. 

Mr. Marasingha: From where does it get the funds?

Mr. Hizbullah: Much of the funds come from Saudi Arabia. That money is spent for development of our mosques from wealthy people of that country. About 350 million has already been received. A Batticaloa university College was requested by me. At the time the agreement was signed, I was a deputy minister. It is something done entirely free of charge. The only thing I cannot do is to do business with the government. All children were taken for it. Most of them were Muslim children. Tamil and Sinhalese children too came. 

Mr. Marasingha: Bought a land from the Mahaweli for it?

Mr. Hizbullah: We requested a land in 2013. A committee wa appointed. The state gave an annual license. We pay a tax of Rs. one lakh annually. Got all approvals. 

Mr. Karunanayaka: Does it operate under the Sharya method? 

Mr. Hizbullah: It is a different system. We included subjects such as Islamic education, medicine. 

Mr. Karunanayaka: Was permission obtained from University Grants Commission? 

Mr. Hizbullah: Does not come under the religious grants commission. It is under the ministry of higher education. We have sent details of every cent to the income tax department. 

Mr. Karunanayaka: But the central bank knew nothing about this money. (Mr. Hizbullah silent).

Mr. Ashu Marasingha: Do you approve of 'Wahabwadaya'?

Mr. Hizbullah: No.

Mr. Marasingha: Was it those practising 'Wahabwadaya' who provided the loans? 

Mr. Hizbullah: No. They were those who lived in France. This university was built for the poor. There is no Shariya story about this. This story was made up by the media. This is not a Shariya university. There is no religion taught here. The government can now operate this. It is professor Dangalla who was appointed as the vice-chancellor. 

Mr. Sarath Fonseka: If it is poor people who are coming ... how can the loans be repaid?

Mr. Hizbullah: We are paying and take only fifty percent. We do not have to pay interest. 20 million has to be paid for a month. 

Mr. Nalinda Jayatissa: You got 35 acres ... but a greater area has been covered.