By The Stolen Future: How Sri Lanka’s Muslim Community Was Betrayed
As the crescent moon signalled the start of Ramadan, the narrow streets of Colombo’s Muslim neighbourhood’s filled with the scent of spiced rice and the distant echo of evening prayers. Families gathered, breaking their fast with simple meals, while the elders spoke in hushed voices about the hardships they still faced—poor schools, crumbling mosques, and hospitals that never seemed to have enough resources.
But amidst the quiet struggle of ordinary Muslims, in lavish homes just miles away, the men who were supposed to uplift them were dining in luxury. These were the same politicians who had promised a better future, who had spoken passionately in Parliament about helping the community. Yet, for decades, they had done the opposite.
A Trail of Vanished Millions
The story began in 1979 when the first wave of foreign donations arrived from the Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Albania. These funds were meant to build schools, provide scholarships, and ensure that every struggling Muslim family had a roof over their head.
But instead of reaching the people, the money disappeared.
One of the first to receive such funds was a respected politician who set up a charitable organization to manage these donations. Millions poured in, yet when journalists and investigators later traced the funds, they found a shocking truth—most of the money had been transferred into private accounts.
The family’s luxurious lifestyle, their sprawling properties in Colombo, raised a simple but troubling question: Was their fortune built on stolen community funds?
False Promises, Broken Trust
Not only this political family but many other influential politicians, received Qatari donations to build houses for the underprivileged. Yet, those homes were never built. The list is emerging of those who allegedly funnelled community funds into personal wealth—most of their children now live comfortably abroad, while the people who trusted him remain in poverty.
The pattern was clear.
Politicians showed foreign donors images of struggling Muslim families, neglected madrasas, and half-built mosques.
They promised to use the money to uplift their people.
Once the funds arrived, they disappeared—invested in real estate, businesses, and foreign bank accounts.
Ordinary Muslims continued to struggle, unaware that their leaders had sold their future for personal gain.
A Community Left in the Dark
For decades, these politicians remained untouchable. They used their influence to silence investigations, their connections to avoid scrutiny. Even within the Muslim community, fear and political loyalty kept many from speaking out.
But now, the silence is breaking.
Community activists and investigative journalists are demanding answers. How much money was received? Where did it go? What projects were actually completed?
If these politicians are innocent, why are they afraid to open their financial records?
A Warning to Foreign Donors
Muslim charities and donors from abroad must rethink their approach. For too long, Sri Lankan politicians have used foreign aid as their personal bank account. It is time for a new system—one where donations go directly to verified, community-led projects with strict financial oversight.
Imagine if the billions stolen had actually been used for their intended purpose. Hospitals would have been built, children educated, families lifted from poverty. But instead, the money funded luxury homes, foreign investments, and the extravagant lifestyles of a corrupt few. Currently the information emerging is been directed towads a certin muslim family and its too early to say why these allegations are popping up at this point of time -is it a revelation made in good faith or not- will have to wait and see.
