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Parliament committee proposes to ban burqa immediately

20 February 2020 09:45 pm - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has proposed to immediately ban attire such as the burqa and suspend registration of political parties on ethnic and religious basis.

Meanwhile, an amendment has been suggested to be made to the Penal Code to identify making hateful statements and propagating harmful and false statements as criminal offences.

This was stated in a special report presented to Parliament today to resolve 14 controversial issues in the society following the Easter Attack an the report was tabled by the Committee Chairman MP Malith Jayatilaka.

The report states that a number of countries have already banned the burqa and the ISIS headquarters in Syria also banned the burqa on September 5, 2019. The report has suggested that the police should have the power request any person wearing a face covering in a public place to take off such face covering in order to establish the identity of such person and If such a request by police officer is not complied with, police should have the power to arrest the individual without a warrant.

The report has recommended to the Election Commission to enact legislation to suspend registration of political parties on ethnic and religious basis.

Accordingly, the registration of political parties which have some racial or religious conflict in their constitution or in the name of the party is prohibited. It has been proposed that such a party should be converted into a political or non-religious political party within a specified period of time.

The report states that all students studying in madrassa institutions should be absorbed into the normal school system under the Ministry of Education within three years. It has been proposed that madrassa schools should be operated only for the education of Islamic Moulavis after GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level students. The report also proposes to establish a special committee to regulate the Madrasa institutions under the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs.

It contains recommendations on 14 areas including the National Defence Policy, Amending the Immigration and Emigration law in line with the national and international new developments, The manner of amending the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Law, timely requirement for the amendment of Wakf Act, Halal Certification Process and establishment of a Ministry of Religious Affairs with all religions and Halal certification. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 13

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  • C.Herath Thursday, 20 February 2020 10:18 PM

    The right ruling for the good of the country and ALL its people. Respect and value diversity, but never to branch off in different directions. Better late than never.

    citizen Thursday, 20 February 2020 10:18 PM

    Excellent proposals provided these implemented as recommended. Hope of a secular democratic state.

    Food for thought ! ! Thursday, 20 February 2020 10:39 PM

    Surprisingly in a twist of fate all are now wearing face masks (guarding against corona virus) by which the wearer cannot be identified. Same problem as the Burqa ! ! Is it "deiyangay neethiya ! ! " - best the facemask is also banned by law ! !

    Sujman Friday, 21 February 2020 08:25 AM

    Banning the face mask on these grounds is stupidity. Anyone who uses a face mask and remove and reveal the face upon request. Don't post comments just for the stake of it.

    Moragoda Friday, 21 February 2020 07:42 AM

    This is the most burning question for SL at this moment when our prime minister goes to India and asking more time to pay the $1 bn loan? And we are getting indebted by the way, country is going bankrupt while the regime looks to stoke up racial tensions.

    City Friday, 21 February 2020 08:18 AM

    Why only one religion is highlighted.

    Raja Senanayake Friday, 21 February 2020 08:36 AM

    wE SHOULD ADOPT RATIONAL ATTITUDES AND WAYS OF THINKING AND GIVE UP OLD ANTIQUATED PRACTICES.

    Anura Nanayakkara Friday, 21 February 2020 08:37 AM

    Very good move by the govt to prevent further complications and social unrest!!

    Munsir Friday, 21 February 2020 09:03 AM

    why don't you add one more point to make sure minority get government jobs proportionality to their population.

    Roshanaly Friday, 21 February 2020 02:45 PM

    What about International Schools and Montessori where they take only minorities.

    CHULANI s WICKRAMASINGHE Friday, 21 February 2020 10:32 PM

    Ask why.....TRUMP in USA.....does NOT hire minorities in proportion to their population....

    CHULANI s WICKRAMASINGHE Friday, 21 February 2020 10:32 PM

    Ask why.....TRUMP in USA.....does NOT hire minorities in proportion to their population....

    firdhous Saturday, 22 February 2020 05:37 PM

    It would be descent and acceptable if a complete female dress code is proposed including the area to be open and the area to be closed and where the dress to be tight fit and where it should be loose fit.


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