SC allows Muslim dress sans face cover

24 July 2014 01:57 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

A A A

The Supreme Court today directed that Muslim mothers could enter schools wearing their traditional dress but with the face uncovered so that the wearer could be easily identified.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Justices K. Sripavan and Priyantha Jayawardane gave this direction to the Rajagiriya Janathipathi Balika Vidyalaya and the Western Provincial Secretary of Education.

The CJ said this direction was only for the parents.

The petition was filed by a mother of a Muslim student of Janathipathi Balika Vidyalaya in Rajagiriya after she was prevented from entering the school in her Muslim attire.

The Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya Principal and the provincial council authorities said they had no objection to parents in Muslim attire entering the school premised provided their identity could be ascertained.

Petitioner cited the following as respondents: M. Kairul Nisa Awoof cited Janathipathi Balika Vidyalaya Principal Nayana Lakshitha Perera and Assistant Principal K.C. Padmamali, Provincial Education Secretary S.P. Kodikara, Acting Provincial Education Director Wimal Gunaratne, Education Ministry Secretary Anura Dissanayake, Western Province Governor Seyed Alavi Moulana, Western Province Chief Minister and Provincial Education Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and the Attorney General.

M.M.Zuhair PC with Hafeel Fariz, Shafray Hamza and Charita Samaradivekara instructed by Gowry Shangary Thavarasha appeared for the Petitioner. Manohara de Silva PC appeared for the Principal and the Assistant Principal. Tishya Weragoda appeared for Provincial Secretary of Education, Acting Provincial Director of Education and Provincial Education Minister. Deputy Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam appeared for the Education Ministry Secretary, Governor and the Attorney General. (S.S.Selvanayagam)