Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Authorities in Sri Lanka have banned women from wearing face veils from Monday under an emergency law put in place after the deadly Easter Sunday attacks by militants.

Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Sri Lankan Consul General A.W.A. Salam said that President Maithripala Sirisena, under Emergency Regulations, has taken steps to ban from Monday all forms of face cover that may hinder one’s identity being ascertained, as a threat to national security and public safety.

He said, quoting official statement, the directive specifies the need for one’s face been clearly visible for ascertaining their identity as the main criterion.

Consul General said that president has issued this directive to ensure national security and a peaceful and reconciled society, where no ethnic group or community would be subjected to discomfort.

Salam has emphasized that ban is only for face cover not Abaya and it is applicable to all, including foreign visitors to the country.

According to reports, the measures would help security forces to identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island.

About 9.7 percent of Sri Lanka's roughly 22 million people are Muslim. Only a small minority of women, usually in Muslim areas, fully hide their faces.