SLNA rejects minister’s statement on Muslim nursing attire

28 October 2025 08:27 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, October 28 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Nurses’ Association (SLNA) has strongly opposed a statement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, allowing nurses to change their uniforms according to Muslim attire as they wish.

Issuing a statement, SLNA President W.A. Keerthirathne said the Minister’s claim was misleading, as no official circular had been issued permitting any such change in nursing uniforms.

The SLNA noted that while a recent discussion among several Muslim civil society organisations concluded there were no legal barriers to Muslim nurses observing religious dress codes, the Minister’s statement could create unnecessary confusion within the health sector.

Keerthirathne stressed that the nursing uniform, which dates back to the time of Florence Nightingale, is a global symbol of professionalism and not one of cultural or religious representation. He said uniforms approved by the Uniform Committee of the Health Ministry and the Sri Lanka Nursing Council remain the only officially recognised attire for public service nurses.

The SLNA condemned the Minister’s remarks and said it would take the issue up with the International Council of Nurses, urging the government to clarify and rectify the matter immediately.

Comments - 13

Treehorse Tuesday, 28 October 2025 08:53 AM

It is time to move past the stigma on the uniform. Look at singapore, they allow muslim nurses to wear their head cover and it was only a recent change that was brought about after discussing with the multi ethnic community. That is how a society progresses. Does that mean Singapore is disrespecting any international covernant?

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Hamdhan Tuesday, 28 October 2025 08:59 AM

All these shouting for a uniform which is not even in use from which they were introduced, grow up guys, just shouting not to change the uniforms, stick to the ministry approved codes nonsense is the kind of attitude that got all of in this situation. If u can’t change your attitude now, u guys will never change.

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dinesh Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:16 AM

why is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism talking bout nurses matters and making a hash of something that is not a issue at the moment???

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Lion Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:36 AM

When the country is building communal harmony don’t bring these petty issues to disturb it.

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Pansilu Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:40 AM

That illiterate decision shoud be rejected . Present stupid government try to make un-necessory trouble to country for their benefit

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abc Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:49 AM

Shouldn't allow these backward cultures to disrupt this country

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rbh Tuesday, 28 October 2025 10:28 AM

When a past government brought inferior medicine, the issue was ignored, but now similar matters are highlighted and raised to higher authorities. SLNA why speak about inferior medicine bough and people wer dying. During COVID-19, the global were allowing burial permitted, yet Sri Lanka imposed restrictions — why didn’t the management speak up? Professionalism and religious observance can coexist. Many countries, including the UK, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and the UAE, allow modest uniform variations like hijab and long sleeves without compromising safety. We urge the Ministry of Health to create a policy that respects both professionalism and religious identity while maintaining infection control standards.

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Steve Tuesday, 28 October 2025 10:38 AM

The world has changed since the time of Florence Nightingale. The "frog in the well" mindset has to change.

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ahmad Tuesday, 28 October 2025 10:44 AM

why are the nuns permitted to cover their heads

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Adwani Tuesday, 28 October 2025 11:07 AM

"Keerthirathne stressed that the nursing uniform, which dates back to the time of Florence Nightingale, is a global symbol of professionalism and not one of cultural or religious representation" Does Keerthirathne knows that Florence Nightingale never went on strike and go slow campaign, or demanded bribes to attend?????? Which is happening in Sri Lanka by Sri Lankan Florence Naughtygirls. Great changes have taken place from the era of Florence Nightingale.

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B P Tuesday, 28 October 2025 12:13 PM

NPP has no clue about governing; only good at talking to the gallery.

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Just saying Tuesday, 28 October 2025 03:53 PM

Has this minister not got enough portfolios to keep him busy without interfering in the uniforms of nurses? Ministry of tourism, foreign policy and foreign employment are big entities.

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Ghaus Tuesday, 28 October 2025 03:56 PM

Mr Keerthiratne should know that Muslim nurses in Muslim countries dress according to their culture, not in the same way as nurses everywhere else.

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