Wearing Muslim headscarves is prohibited in Sri Lanka.
Wearing the Muslim burqa is banned in Sri Lanka. This is a recent decision by the government.
The Sri Lankan government has just signed into law measures aimed at preventing radicalization in the country.
Accordingly, wearing the Muslim burqa is banned in Sri Lanka. In addition, more than 1,000 Islamic schools will also be banned in this South Asian country.
Sri Lankan Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara signed the document announcing the ban. Sri Lankan government officials also stated that the burqa is a threat to national security.
"We have many Muslim friends and they never wear burqas. This is something that religious extremists have used to promote their ideology. Therefore, we will ban it," said Sarath Weerasekara.
Sri Lanka's Security Minister stated that there are currently over 2,000 Islamic schools operating in the country. He asserted that no one can open a school in Sri Lanka and teach whatever they want. All schools must adhere to the nation's general education policy. Therefore, according to Minister Sarath Weerasekara, more than 1,000 Islamic schools in Sri Lanka will have to close.
Last month, Sri Lankan Justice Minister Ali Sabry announced that the government would ban the wearing of full-face scarves in public. The new policy is not aimed at any particular community but is in the best interests of national security.
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In February 2020, a Sri Lankan parliamentary committee proposed a ban on wearing burqas. The government of the Indian Ocean island nation implemented emergency regulations following the Easter attacks in April 2019, which included a ban on wearing face coverings.
However, human rights groups argue that, given the growing fear of social backlash among Muslims in Sri Lanka, a ban on women wearing veils for religious reasons would only make them more vulnerable to public shaming. Instead of implementing this ban, authorities could conduct individual background checks if deemed necessary.
Regarding the series of attacks during Easter in April 2019, Sri Lanka's Minister of Security stated that intelligence and security officials at the time missed opportunities to prevent these terrorist acts. A report indicated a series of isolated incidents occurring just before Easter, suggesting the terrorists had planned and tested the attacks beforehand. Investigations revealed that only one group was involved in the attacks.
The Sri Lankan government has arrested 676 people in connection with the attacks, 66 of whom are being held for questioning. In early 2020, Sri Lankan intelligence revealed a female extremist group led by Zahran Hashim that had trained 17 members who had sworn allegiance to carry out suicide attacks. Five of these have died, and three have been charged and detained.
