Sri Lanka cabinet approves proposed ban on burqas in public

Citing national security concerns, Buddhist-majority nation’s cabinet clears proposal to ban full-face veils in public.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved a proposed ban on wearing full-face veils including Muslim burqas in public, citing national security grounds, despite a United Nations expert’s comment that it would violate international law. The cabinet approved the proposal by Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, Weerasekera said on his Facebook page. The proposal will now be sent to the Attorney General’s Department and must be approved by parliament to become law.