Banning face veils in public: Thalatha seeks Cabinet approval

Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorale is reported to have yesterday sought Cabinet approval to impose regulations banning the wearing of face veils in public places.

However, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader and Higher Education Minister Rauff Hakeem sought further time to study the document and make his observations though most of the Cabinet ministers were not prepared to grant him more time for this purpose. They insisted that the ban should be imposed as soon as possible.

The minister was allowed one week to make observations.

Meanwhile, the government had already imposed regulations banning the wearing of face veils at State institutions in the wake of the Easter Sunday terror attack.(Kelum Bandara)