Cabinet approves to ban burqa, niqab

27 April 2021 02:20 pm - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Cabinet approval was granted to ban all face coverings including the burqa and niqab, Public Security Cabinet Minister Dr Sarath Weerasekara said.

Weerasekara told the Daily Mirror that the decision will be implemented as a law after parliamentary approval is obtained.

The cabinet approval was granted according to the public bill of Prohibition on covering the full face in public places.

"I requested approval to draft a law for the covering of full-face adhering to the quarantine law which means there will be no prohibition to wear face masks to prevent the COVID-19 virus," Minister Weerasekera said.

The covering of the full face automatically includes the burqa and niqab.

He said the move came nearly two years after a wave of coordinated attacks on hotels and churches on Easter Sunday.

On March 11, Minister Weerasekara signed the cabinet paper over the ban on wearing the burqa in public places and the reason for the move directly affects the national security of the country. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 33

John soloms Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:30 PM

Sri Lanka becomes more regressive every day.

To ask or not to mask Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:32 PM

Can I still wear a mask?

Sen Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:34 PM

Oh No, So no mask allowed? Karma is that even the leader of the country should have a covering.

Robert Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:37 PM

How about Masks?

Anna Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:41 PM

how about face masks?

Dr. Pamunigama Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:43 PM

Divert attention from Ester Sunday issue, Port city, Failure to handle COVID-19

Ram Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:47 PM

The face Mask that we wear these days too cover the face. So those who opt not to wear a mask can say due to ban imposed s/he did not wear!!

fact Tuesday, 27 April 2021 02:47 PM

Though its Saudi wahabi culture and muslim world or sunni ulama around the world such Turkey ,UAE , Jordan ,Egypt and all other do not consider it as part of Islam .Women should have the freedom to chose but it should not imposed by wahabi ideologies like Thablig or ACJU on women

Ruwan Fernando Tuesday, 27 April 2021 03:05 PM

Does this include face masks (surgical, KN95 etc.) ????!! Hardly seems the time to be enacting such laws ...

Massdeen Tuesday, 27 April 2021 06:02 PM

Crazy ideas to divert attention for jobless ppl

Sajith Tuesday, 27 April 2021 06:06 PM

This happens when we have politicians with nothing better to do.

Led Hogan Tuesday, 27 April 2021 06:17 PM

Excellent move ...finally! Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Niger

Grace Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:31 PM

Inside trousers and sarongs, sarees and skirts also, weapon's could be hidden. Please find a solution

Ramesh Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:35 PM

Now with UN secession is over and the government started to direct more and more harassments towards the minorities. Slowly they are replacing sign boards with Chinese language, dress codes, practicing religion , and many more in the cards.

Wait and see Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:36 PM

Wait and see Karma taking its effect, when the corona becomes more severe and the possibility of it entering the body through the eye lids. Then this legislation will go down the drain

Wiseman Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:37 PM

Did the LTTE, Easter Sunday attackers were in action attired with full face cover ! Another heroic Initiative of Bankrupt govt.

Ralaharamy Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:43 PM

At last Sarath Weerasekara achieved what he has been struggling to implement. But now he implies Burqa wearing men were involved in the East attack. But we see it as a bargaining chip for import of oil from Middle East. Any truth?

Bernard Tuesday, 27 April 2021 07:53 PM

This ban should have been implemented soon after the Easter Sunday attack.

SandunW Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:16 PM

Traditional Sri Lankan Muslim dress does not include the wearing of face covering. So, high time these foreign practices were stopped anyway!

SandunW Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:16 PM

Traditional Sri Lankan Muslim dress does not include the wearing of face covering. So, high time these foreign practices were stopped anyway!

pantha Tuesday, 27 April 2021 08:44 PM

The country is sold to China. The majority Sinhalse are happy to be under China rule. So there is no issue.

mohamed Sulaiman Wednesday, 28 April 2021 05:12 AM

Sad story Sarath has nothing else to do, this is the best job he has done since becomming a minister because he is not Qaulified to do anything better,It is total crap.

AB Wednesday, 28 April 2021 05:41 AM

People should not move around in public places while hiding their identity, allowing it means give opportunity to criminals to move around using it

AB Wednesday, 28 April 2021 05:41 AM

People should not move around in public places while hiding their identity, allowing it means give opportunity to criminals to move around using it

AB Wednesday, 28 April 2021 05:41 AM

People should not move around in public places while hiding their identity, allowing it means give opportunity to criminals to move around using it

AB Wednesday, 28 April 2021 05:41 AM

People should not move around in public places while hiding their identity, allowing it means give opportunity to criminals to move around using it

Ranjan Buddhist Wednesday, 28 April 2021 05:48 AM

Respect their religion

Shamal Wednesday, 28 April 2021 06:28 AM

Ban Hijab too. Why is Hijab not included?

Manu kularatne Wednesday, 28 April 2021 06:41 AM

Country is in a mess with economic issues, COVID-19, port city , Easter , poisonous coconut oil ., and the government is in a hurry to pursue this ban. For what? Misleading the people

Benra Wednesday, 28 April 2021 07:20 AM

Now Bachelet of UNHRC start her offensive, this government is oppress minority,and they won't let wear what they please, government should ready with it

Alex Gomis Wednesday, 28 April 2021 07:44 AM

Well said brother..

German Wednesday, 28 April 2021 11:37 AM

# Benra: in most European countries the niqab is already forbidden

Stop hatred Wednesday, 28 April 2021 03:05 PM

What a cheap country!!! For a while death bodies criminated and now allowed. The world is laughing at this country and law makers as well as so called scientists. All in the name revenge and discrimination. Now, this country should prepare to face the pandemic but not banning burqa. There are more chances to survive those who are wearing burqa from covid but not the saya and blouse.

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Cabinet approves to ban burqa, niqab

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