OIC team’s visit to Colombo delayed

The scheduled visit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) team to Colombo to prepare for its secretary-general’s visit has been postponed on account of the Presidential elections.

Secretary General of the OIC, Iyad Ameen Madani was to visit Sri Lanka early next year on an invitation from the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and an advance team of four members from the OIC was to visit Colombo in preparation for the secretary general’s visit.

The four-member delegation from the OIC was expected to discuss the secretary-general’s program in coordination with the ministry of external affairs in Colombo.

Mr. Madani was to hold meetings with religious organizations in Sri Lanka in addition to his meeting with the President,to get first hand knowledge of the current position of the minorities on the island.

Earlier, the OIC, the Jeddah-based organization and parent body of 57 member countries, expressed its concerns over the escalating ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka, which has affected the Muslim community and its businesses on the island.