No laws in Sri Lanka preventing female Muslim students from covering their faces: Minister
Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:58
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The Higher Education Ministry has said that there are no rules or regulations that would prevent female Muslim students from covering their faces.
The announcement by Deputy Higher Education Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake was made at a time when the Moratuwa University recently imposed a ban on the niqab worn by female Muslim students.
Ekanayake told the media that there was no legal provision to impose a ban on female Muslim students from covering their faces.
He explained that even female school students are allowed to cover their faces and that they could continue to do so in universities.
The Deputy Minister added that he was not aware of the reason for the Moratuwa University to ban female Muslim students from wearing a niqab.
According to University Vice Chancellor Prof. Ananda Jayawardana easy identification of students is needed to ensure safety and discipline within the university premises.
