Sri Lanka for permanent slot among Islamic states
Sri Lanka has been invited to be an Observer of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), the Prime Minister's Office announced this week. Despite being a predominantly Buddhist country with a Constitution that gives foremost place to Buddhism, Sri Lanka has been recognised by the powerful Islamic nations grouping due to its sizeable Muslim population.

Of a population of nearly 20 million, Muslims in Sri Lanka account for 1.4 million or 7 per cent of the total population who are scattered in most parts of the country with a conservative segment concentrated in the Eastern Province.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been invited to the OIC Summit in Malaysia later this month. Ports Minister and Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem is however to represent the Prime Minister as his special envoy at the Summit.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hakeem, during his visit is to propose that Sri Lanka be given permanent observer status at the OIC.

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