8 Sri Lankan Muslim lawmakers steps down after support allegations to Islamist militants

Three ministers and five junior ministers of Sri Lankan government have quit their portfolios in solidarity following allegations to have supported the Islamist militants group that killed more than 250 people on Easter Sunday.

However, there is no immediate risk of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s parliamentary coalition.

Since the Easter Sunday multiple blasts on churches and luxury hotels Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena have been on back foot facing criticism to act on potential attack warnings.

Sri Lanka is a majority Sinhala Buddhist island and Muslim leaders claim facing growing persecution against them.

According to the ministers the stepping down would allow investigators to probe without interference.

Formerly minister of city planning, water supply and higher education, Rauff Hakeem, said they will protect the government by not leaving it.

Lately it has been seen powerful Buddhist monks have been creating pressure on the Muslim politicians.

On Friday the opposition lawmaker and Buddhist monk Athuraliye Ratana Thero launched hunger strike in the central Kandy district with demands of resignation of Muslim lawmakers.

A presidential election is due in the island later this year.