Recent appointments to the Sri Lanka Wakf Board have sparked intense social and political debate. Specifically, the nomination of a former high-ranking military officer, alongside individuals suspected of political alignments, raises several pressing questions regarding the underlying motives behind these decisions.
This is not merely an accusation against the government, but an investigative look into the delicate balance between the law, national security, and public trust.
1. The Wakf Board: The Legal Framework and its Sensitive Role
The Wakf Board of Sri Lanka is established under the Muslim Mosques and Charitable Trusts or Wakfs Act. Its primary responsibilities are:
- Safeguarding the properties dedicated by the Muslim community for religious and social services.
- Properly managing the income generated from these properties.
- Utilizing those resources for religious, educational, and social welfare projects.
It must be understood that the Wakf Board is not a government ministry or an agency that represents state power. It is an institution that exists entirely on the direct trust of the Muslim community. Therefore, individuals appointed to this board require not only legal qualifications but, fundamentally, social acceptability.
2. Post-Easter Attacks: The Shattered Trust of the Muslim Community
Following the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the Muslim community faced an era where the burden of a crime committed by a few individuals was heavily placed upon an entire society.
- Ordinary Muslim citizens were subjected to deep suspicion.
- Religious institutions were placed under intense monitoring.
- Extreme control measures were deployed in the name of national security.
Even if these actions did not fall outside the legal framework, they left a deep psychological scar on the Muslim community. Because of this very reason, an institution like the Wakf Board must operate not as a security control mechanism, but as a balance between security and freedom.
3. The Name of a Former Major General: Where Lies the Problem?
The proposal of a former military Major General among the new Wakf Board appointments provokes a multitude of questions. The issue here is:
- Not his personal character or his service to the nation, but
- Whether the Wakf Board requires a person with such a background.
The Wakf Board is not a security apparatus. It is a religious and social management institution.
It cannot be forgotten that in the post-Easter attack period, the Muslim community already felt they were under extreme security surveillance. Against such a backdrop, does appointing an individual with a military background increase social trust? Or does it escalate the fear of extreme state control?
This is a question that naturally arises.
4. The NPP Government and the Political Discourse on “Security”
The National People’s Power (NPP) government has held strong stances on topics such as “the law,” “security,” and “extremism.”
While these stances may not be legally incorrect, such rhetoric can be highly sensitive to minority communities. Therefore, under an NPP government, appointing an individual with a military background to a Muslim religious institution naturally leaves room for wide political interpretations.
5. The Colombo Municipal Council and the Suspicion of ‘Deals’
Running parallel to this, the appointment of an individual to the Wakf Board who magnanimously cast a decisive vote to grant the NPP the majority in the Colombo Municipal Council raises another serious concern.
This poses the questions:
- Is this based on a simple social service background?
- Is it a reward for political loyalty?
- Or is it an exchange made for power?
While this is not a direct accusation of a bribe or a corrupt deal, it is certainly a situation that demands a clear explanation. In the absence of an explanation, suspicion naturally grows.
6. This is Not Hatred — It is a Demand for Accountability
This article is:
- Not an attempt to create Muslim-Sinhalese hatred.
- Not an act of condemning the military.
- Not a mere accusation leveled against the government.
Rather, it is an effort to protect public trust in how state power is exercised. If the Minister and the government respond to these questions openly, it will serve as a step toward strengthening social peace.
Final Thought
Although the Wakf Board is an institution governed by the law, its very existence is sustained by trust. If that trust breaks down, the law alone will not be able to save it. Therefore, every appointment made to the Wakf Board must be justifiable not only legally, but also socially.