Sri Lanka delays deciding on ban on burqa and Niqab

The Sri Lankan government has decided to delay taking a decision on the proposed ban on wearing of the burqa and the niqab.

 

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage has said that a decision has not been taken by the Government to impose such a ban and it is merely a proposal while Co-cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said more time was needed to take a decision on such proposal

 

The Foreign Ministry in a statement referring to  media reports that highlighted statements made in regard to a proposal to ban the wearing of the burqa and niqab in Sri Lanka said “ This proposal has been based on the precautionary measures that are needed on national security grounds, following the investigations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on Easter Sunday attacks.”

 

The Government will initiate a broader dialogue with all parties concerned and sufficient time will be taken for necessary consultations to be held and for consensus to be reached.

 

Minister Rambukwella said a decision will be taken purely on security considerations,  but further time will be needed to carryout a careful decision on the matter.

 

However,  other sources said that the Pakistani High Commissioner in Sri Lanka had raised concerns about the ban which prompted the government to rethink about its decision.

 

The timing of the proposal has been questioned as came a week before the vote of the resolution on Sri Lanka to be taken for voting at the UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva next Monday.