A professor of political science specializing on Sri Lanka at Acadia University in Wolfeville, Nova Scotia provided the following information on the above subject during a telephone interview on 15 November 1994.

The Muslim community of Sri Lanka numbers about 1,000,000, of whom about 90 per cent are Sunni and 10 per cent Shia. Most Sri Lankan Sunnis subscribe to the Hanafite interpretation of Islamic law (Hanafiyya), which is a liberal interpretation. Sri Lankan Hanafis tend to be liberal, not extremist and are very open to modern realities. Sri Lankan Muslims are mainly concentrated in Eastern Province, although some live in other areas such as Colombo. The professor does not have detailed information on the exact areas of geographic concentration or numbers of Sri Lankan Hanafis.

Response to Information Request LKA18578.E of 14 November 1994 provides additional information on Sri Lankan Muslims.

The attachment from The Encyclopedia of Islam provides information on the Hanafiyya interpretation of Islamic law.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Professor of political science specializing on Sri Lanka, Acadia University, Wolfeville, NS. 15 November 1994. Telephone interview.

The Encyclopedia of Islam. 1986. New ed. Vol. 3. Edited by B. Lewis et al. Leiden: E.J. Brill, pp. 162-64.