15 March 2021 01:32 pm
The Government says there is no move to ban the hijab as it does not pose a threat to national security.
Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral (Retd.) Dr. Sarath Weerasekera said that the hijab does not cover the face so the identity of an individual is not concealed.
However, he said both the niqab and the burqa will be banned once approval is obtained.
The Minister said that the intention is to not permit an face coverings which cannot be removed in public if there is a need for security reasons.
He said that face masks worn for protection from the coronavirus and full-face helmets can be removed in public upon request.
However, he said religious attire like niqab and the burqa cannot be removed in public.
Minister Weerasekera said that he had signed the cabinet paper to ban the wearing of face veils including the burqa last week.
Women’s rights groups, activists and some Muslim organizations have raised concerns over the decision to ban the niqab and the burqa.(Vyshnavy Velrajh)