After the brutal Islamist attacks on churches and hotels on Easter Day, Sunday 21st April 2019, the Sri Lankan government has banned the use of any garment clothing covering the face.
Officials have not specifically named Burqa and Naqab (Worn by Muslim Women).
Any face garment which “blurs identification” of an individual is banned to ensure national security.
Sri Lanka is still on high alert after eight days of attacks on Churches and Hotels.
There have been multiple arrests but the local officials warned that more militants can still be out on lose.
Less than 10% of the Sri Lankan population is Muslims and they are the ones who are affected by this ban.
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, an organization of Muslim clerics in Sri Lanka, had also asked women to avoid wearing face coverings.
Over the weekend there were thousands of Sri Lankan troops stood guard on the city streets, protecting churches and mosques.
Sunday Church services were canceled but still, a large number of people gathered to pray outside St Anthony’s Shrine, which was damaged in the attacks.
So far, there are 150 arrests made. Sri Lankan authorities are looking for 140 followers of the extremist jihadist group which claimed to be involved in the bombings but have not shared details of their claim.
