Scholars and Professionals Gather to Discuss the Way Forward for Plural Sri Lanka

RPSL Consortium held its first Annual General Meeting with a special session to discuss the critical juncture of plural Sri Lanka and the role of scholars and professionals in community upliftment.

RPSL Consortium held its first Annual General Meeting on 30th April 2023 at the Zahira College Swimming Pool Complex Auditorium, Colombo 10. The meeting had a special session organized to discuss the critical juncture of plural Sri Lanka and the role of scholars and professionals in community upliftment.

The session was chaired by Mr. Wazeer Mukthar, Vice President of RPSL Consortium. The opening address was delivered by Ash Sheikh A.C. Agar Mohamed, the Rector of Naleemiah Institute. He emphasized the importance of scholars and professionals in the community and the role they play in its development.

The keynote speech was delivered by Hon M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He highlighted the importance of RPSL Consortium in developing a vision for the future and the need for it to be a visionary organization.

A panel discussion was organized on the topic of “Persistence as an Effective Community in the Critical Juncture of Plural Sri Lanka: Past, Present and the Way Forward.” Eminent and experienced panelists were invited to speak on each topic.

Dr. Faisz Musthapha PC, the Chancellor of SEUSL, spoke on the topic of Empowerment and Capacity Building. Justice Dr. Saleem Marsoof PC, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, spoke on the topic of Education and Awareness. Hon Mr. Ali Sabry PC, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke on the topic of Participation and Representation in Public Life and Politics. Hon Mr. Rauff Hakeem, MP and Leader of SLMC, Former Minister, spoke on the topic of Recognition and Acceptance/Preservation and Promotion of Culture and Language.

Mrs. Ferial Ashraff, Former MP, Minister & High Commissioner, spoke on the topic of Women Empowerment and Capacity Building: Role of Muslim Women in Community Advancement. Ambassador Mr. Omar Kamil, the Former Mayor of CMC, spoke on the topic of Engage in Dialogue and Communication/Building Alliances and Networks. Mr. Faizer Musthapha PC, a former MP and Minister, spoke on the topic of Legal Protections and Safeguards.

The panel discussion was moderated by Attorney at Law Mr. M. A. M. Hakeem, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law – University of Colombo. The session provided an insightful discussion on the critical issues affecting plural Sri Lanka and the role of scholars and professionals in community upliftment. The RPSL Consortium’s first Annual General Meeting was a successful event, and it provided an opportunity for scholars and professionals to come together and discuss the way forward for Sri Lanka. The panel discussion covered a wide range of topics, including women’s empowerment, education, cultural preservation, legal protections, and communication.

The panelists provided insightful views on each topic and emphasized the importance of persistence in achieving community advancement in a pluralistic society. They discussed the challenges faced by Sri Lanka and the need for a collaborative effort to address these challenges.

The session was well-attended and provided an opportunity for networking and building alliances among scholars and professionals. The RPSL Consortium’s first Annual General Meeting was a successful event, and it is hoped that it will be the first of many such events to come.

In conclusion, the special session held in conjunction with the RPSL Consortium’s first Annual General Meeting provided an excellent platform for scholars and professionals to come together and discuss the critical issues affecting plural Sri Lanka. The panelists emphasized the importance of persistence, collaboration, and visionary thinking in achieving community upliftment. The RPSL Consortium is playing a critical role in this regard, and it is hoped that it will continue to be a driving force for positive change in Sri Lanka.