Hisbullah says the Muslims have been "fooled" by the signed JM

MLAM Hisbullah, senior deputy chairman of the NUA called for his leader to leave the government after he resigned from the post of head of Airlines and Airport Services on Sunday.

Speaking with BBC Sandeshaya after the resignation, Hisbullah said that minister Ashroff should resign within 48 hours as the government has broken its promise to discuss the joint mechanism (JM) with the Muslim community before signing.

Muslims 'fooled'

He said the Muslims have been "fooled" by the signed mechanism.

"Muslims have to live under LTTE leadership according to the new mechanism."

Sri Lanka's government and the LTTE signed the JM, introduced as Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS), to share much needed tsunami relief aid.

The Muslims say they were neglected in preparing the P-TOMS draft.

P-TOMS  Muslims have to live under LTTE leadership according to the new mechanism   MLAM Hisbullah

Rauff Hakeem, leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), earlier said the fact that the Muslims are not a signatory to the JM will have serious consequences on their future role in the peace process.

Recalling that President Kumaratunga earlier promised not to sign the P-TOMS without discussing it with NUA, Hisbullah called for the NUA to resign from the government.

President Kumararatunga now heads a minority government as Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) withdrew from the ruling coalition protesting the P-TOMS.

The NUA, which is headed by minister Ferial Ashroff, supports the government while SLMC supports the main opposition United National Party (UNP).