Sri Lanka to ban burqa, shut many Islamic schools, says minister

Minister for public security says decision has been taken on ‘national security’ grounds.

Sri Lanka will ban the wearing of the burqa and shut more than 1,000 Islamic schools, the latest actions affecting the country’s minority Muslim population. Minister for Public Security Sarath Weerasekera told a news conference on Saturday that he had signed a paper on Friday for cabinet approval to ban the burqa on “national security” grounds. A “burqa” is an outer garment that covers the entire body and the face, and is worn by some Muslim women.