16 March 2021 11:19 am
Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral (Retd.) Dr. Sarath Weerasekera has said that the proposed face covering ban was for national security purposes only and not against the Islam religion.
Weerasekara told Daily Mirror that the proposed burqa and niqb ban was not proposed by the Rajapaksa government but was instead proposed by the former government including the Muslim Ministers at that time, soon after the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
"What we want to inform the public is that soon after the Easter attacks in 2019, the previous government appointed the parliament select committee which included some leading Muslim Ministers as well. It was they who had recommended the banning of the burqa and the Madrasa schools. This is not what our government has done," Weerasekara said.
The proposed ban is yet to be submitted to cabinet for approval.
Meanwhile Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella told a cabinet media briefing that the proposed face covering ban will not be rushed and it will be done in consultation and after reaching a consensus.