Face-covered dresses, helmets Education Ministry issues directives to all schools

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

The Education Ministry has informed heads of all schools in writing to abide by the Gazette notification issued under the Emergency law which prohibited dresses and helmets preventing identification of a person.   

It said that the attention of Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was drawn to this matter after the confusion that prevailed in schools when teachers and other individuals entered school premises wearing dresses and helmets preventing their identification.   Accordingly, entering school premises wearing Burqa, Niqab, Full Face, Modular and Off-road helmets has been banned while wearing of Chador, Hijab and other helmets has not been banned.