Sri Lanka announces complete ban on all forms of face covering from today

The Sri Lankan government issued a notice on Sunday to ban burqas and other face-covering garments from Monday onwards. The decision has been taken after the Easter Sunday attack, which was planned by a local cell under the Islamic state.

"Wearing garments that cover the face completely will be banned from tomorrow, to ensure public safety," the presidential announcement reads.

This decision came after a parliamentarian submitted a private member's motion to ban the burqa on security reasons. MP Ashu Marasinghe had said even the garment 'Burqa' was not a traditional Muslim attire.

Even another organisation of Muslim clerics called All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) had also issued a notice on asking women to avoid covering their faces with a hijab so security forces do n't face problems. The notice has been issued in the efforts to maintain national security.

However, the media reports suggest that PM Ranil Wickremesinghe might reject the ban. The prime minister of Sri Lanka, in a statement, today rubbished the claims and said that the ban will be discussed with the minister of Justice, according to a report of Colombo Page.

Significantly, in the Sunday Easter attack, around 253 people were killed and more than 500 were injured. Then on Friday, in the raid at suspected safe houses around 15 people killed including six children.

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