Historical Milestone: Muslim Support for Independence 📈

• Overall Context: Historical records highlight the pivotal role of the Muslim community in securing Sri Lanka’s independence from British rule in 1948. Their "unconditional" support provided the necessary 75% consensus required by the British to ensure minority rights were protected before granting autonomy. • Political Contribution: Leaders such as Dr. T.B. Jayah, Sir Razik Fareed, and Dr. M.C.M. Kaleel prioritized national freedom over communal advantages. Despite potential disadvantages in representation, Muslim representatives voted in favor of the Dominion Status Bill on 9 November 1945. • National Stability & Integrity: • Demographics: By aligning with the majority, the community helped bridge the gap when the Sinhalese population alone could not meet the British-mandated support threshold. • Territorial Unity: The community vehemently opposed separatist calls, playing a crucial role in maintaining the island's territorial integrity. • Social Impact: Historically a peaceful group, the community faced immense displacement (e.g., ~130,000 driven from Jaffna) and economic loss due to ethnic conflicts they did not initiate. • Economic & Social Governance: This historical cooperation is cited as a foundation for communal harmony, with calls for modern authorities to recognize these sacrifices to foster future national stability and economic prosperity.