Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Govt. mulling over burqa ban?
With interrogation of suspects and other evidence pointing to the involvement of a large number of women in Easter Sunday attacks, the government has yesterday initiated moves in view of a possible ban of burqa and niqab in Sri Lanka, a highly placed government source said.
The government, he said, is planning to implement the move in consultation with the mosque authorities and yesterday several ministers had spoken to President Maithripala Sirisena on the matter.
It has been pointed out that burqa and niqab were never part of the traditional attire of Muslim women in Sri Lanka until the gulf war in the early 1990s which saw extremist elements introducing the garb to Muslim women.
Defence sources had revealed that a number of female accomplices of incidents in Dematagoda too had escaped wearing burqas.
Video by D Ruwandi
Comments - 87
Comments - Govt. mulling over burqa ban?
-
Hesh Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:30 PM
Yes please cover anything you want but leave enough so you are identifiable
0 0
pradeep Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:31 PM
Please implement immediately should not have second thoughts
0 0
Buddi Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:32 PM
it is good movement
0 0
Mohamed Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:35 PM
Good idea. Full face cover band immediately. These ladies are more creat problem.
0 0
Islander Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:36 PM
Dont mull and wait. Just impose it atleast until this is sorted out
0 0
xaber Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:37 PM
Very good move and this must be done! That dress is not only a part of traditional Sri Lankan Muslim culture it's an insult to basic human rights. I hope all the Muslims who love their country will take this positively. We must eradicate these extremist ideologies once and for all before it's too late and this is the right time. Also let's keep a close eye on those who may speak against this move.
0 0
Hussein Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:41 PM
Banned all these attires..rubbish brought back from the house maids who worked in the middle east and these radical groups..Muslim women used to wear sarees and salwaz..we are not Saudis or the middle east..now they will consult the mosque authorities and they will say it's the religion dress code..ask them so 20 years ago what was the dress code???..Islam is so simple..don't complicate it and make society hates us...
0 0
Nalin Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:47 PM
Black demons they are make all Sri Lankan’s to wear same type of cloths in public and if it’s to do something with the religion then to wear it only in their place of worship.
0 0
abc Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:48 PM
Good!!! Mainly because Muslim ladies are forced wear this ugly sack by chauvinistic males with beards
0 0
BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:49 PM
This is all humbug, tomorrow if someone bombs wearing a saree are u going to ban saree also. SWRD was shot by a monk who pulled the weapon from inside his robe, did we care to ban the yellow robe? Have better intelligence systems
0 0
kumar Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:28 PM
Comment with sense. Burqa ban is for face identification.
0 0
Vinoth Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:34 PM
It is to be banned not because the terrorists were that attire but because a full face cover conceals the identity of that person. What if a man was hiding behind a burqa? It is also not allowed for male policemen to force women to remove their face cover A saree or a yellow robe doesn't hide the identity of a person.
0 0
Mohamed Zulfer Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:51 PM
Well Done!!!
0 0
pushparani weerasinghe Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:53 PM
It is high time that this ban is imposed. There is nothing to mull over. I got scared seeing a woman wearing a black face cover by the side of the High Level Road, near the BoC at Maharagama about two weeks ago. I could never see her face. This is absurd. Why should women appear before us and drive fear upon us? This is not an Arab country. we should be able to walk the streets in peace. This is a Buddhist country. We don't drive fear upon anyone.
0 0
Nathan smith Tuesday, 23 April 2019 07:18 PM
Well said..
0 0
xyz Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:53 PM
Great. It's sickening to see a group of the population trying to isolate themselves from the rest due to outmoded ideologies. Also this creates a huge security risk.
0 0
Chama Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:53 PM
Good move please ban Burka and niqab, it is not against Muslim it is for the state security. If Muslims are interrupting that move that means they are supporting terrorism.
0 0
sensible Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:55 PM
Good. Why should the other communities be at risk because of these covered up people?
0 0
Shan Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:55 PM
Do it without any delay and save precious and innocent lives of the people
0 0
Sonna Hamidon Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:55 PM
A very good move.
0 0
nice Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:57 PM
This move, if you are able to accomplish it, would prove that you have a backbone
0 0
Zeena Samad Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:58 PM
Very welcome news . I am a Muslim and I don’t agree with this tribal costume being introduced to our country.
0 0
Bhatiya Siriwardena Tuesday, 23 April 2019 01:59 PM
We have been telling this long time. Do it NOW. This never was the Muslim ladies attire in SL. Similarly Arab dress of men here. All this leads to troubles and disharmony
0 0
Angelo Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:00 PM
Get it done and over with NOW!!!! for GODS sake..... !!!
0 0
Common Sense Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:01 PM
What kind of man will force his wife to wear a gunny bag with holes in it? What woman woman likes to wear this kind of dress? Judging from the market size of makeup, not even a few. France banned these types of clothing (Burqa/Niqab) more than a year ago, to good effect.
0 0
Stephan Griffith Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:04 PM
It is a nice move, it should have been banned along time ago
0 0
Karu Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:05 PM
Muslims have been living as Sri Lankans for centuries. In recent times this has changed as Arabs among many of them. Madrasas are the only after school activity for their children. Time for the Government to wake up to the reality. Good conduct and respect is above religion.
0 0
Ronnie Bugger Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:08 PM
To hard to believe knowing that Muslim ladies of the past were traditionally and strictly brought up in cloistered environments.
0 0
Ronnie Bugger Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:08 PM
To hard to believe knowing that Muslim ladies of the past were traditionally and strictly brought up in cloistered environments.
0 0
Banda Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:10 PM
Who wants to hide identity other than a terrorists.
0 0
Isaac Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:10 PM
Im sure this law should have been passed long time ago.Cause we never witnesed an y women wearing this kind of attire even during our schooling days also limit child bearing to just two children no matter who you are,which will definitely help in the near future.There has to be a balance and also resources to provide so lets Stop over population.CAN U
0 0
Muhammad Kutub Uddin Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:13 PM
As a Bangladeshi Muslim I think It's not a solution to the problem. Once upon a time there was only Sufi Muslims. They were more tolerance upon different communities. But importing Wahabism and Salafism from middle east has been spoiling harmony amongst communities. Now Muslims are more intolerance than it was been before. So, best solution is stop terror fund, ban Wahabism and Salafism.
0 0
Malin Perera Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:16 PM
Yes. Please do it! since female accomplices are involved. It's a threat for the security in the country. Muslims are our friends but they also need to corporate right now and show their solidarity, as the article mentions it was not their in their attire but it was introduced by extremist elements. Also Netherlands
0 0
Isuru perera Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:18 PM
This must be done. Otherwise no protection for other people . If other counties Had Ban the burqa why we can't . We are unable to proceed security protocol at any specific location
0 0
be sensible Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:26 PM
@Muhammad Kutub Uddin Sir, this outfit creates a security risk and places everyone in danger. why should one community's beliefs be allowed to put others at risk.
0 0
Lord Wolfstein Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:32 PM
It is banned in many European countries because of security reasons.
0 0
Bimsara Wijesinghe Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:46 PM
Yes. It is a good move, if implemented properly. Its high time that Sri Lanka bans those attires, which pose security risk to the country and its majority.
0 0
hans perlee Tuesday, 23 April 2019 02:48 PM
Just another smoke screen. Talk about this and hope people forget what you as Government did wrong. 310 people dead so far because of not acting when you had serious warnings about terror attacks. You knew who, where and when but you did nothing. Now act as gentlemen, resign and face trial.
0 0
Ian Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:07 PM
This Government will never ban the Burkha. It depends on Muslim votes.
0 0
Shareef Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:13 PM
A timely decision, if it is legislated. I am a proud Sri Lankan Muslim with no association to a particular group but devoted to a law-abiding country. Face cover is not a practice obligated by Islam but a culture imported.
0 0
Karune Mama Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:15 PM
President won't do it. One of his closest allies who is also a Governor has two wives and they both look like they just came straight out of a Ninja Movie. If you don't trust me take a look at the footage from independence day celebrations of this year
0 0
Terminator> Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:17 PM
Government should not take a firm decision on this matter since this is not the only reason for security threat. However, It would be better if Muslim women could uncover their faces.
0 0
Terminator> Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:17 PM
Government should not take a firm decision on this matter since this is not the only reason for security threat. However, It would be better if Muslim women could uncover their faces.
0 0
Terminator> Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:17 PM
Government should not take a firm decision on this matter since this is not the only reason for security threat. However, It would be better if Muslim women could uncover their faces.
0 0
Terminator> Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:17 PM
Government should not take a firm decision on this matter since this is not the only reason for security threat. However, It would be better if Muslim women could uncover their faces.
0 0
lion Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:27 PM
please do it as fast as you can. this is a virus now we had the first hand information that this has been used in this mass murder.
0 0
David de Saram Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:28 PM
Excellent Idea. It must be implemented. Most European countries have seen a reduction in attacks after implementation of a burqa ban. Research has shown that all muslim terrorists have come from households where the burqa or a niqab have been worn.
0 0
David Sansoni Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:30 PM
Excellent Idea. It must be implemented. Most European countries have seen a reduction in attacks after implementation of a burqa ban.
0 0
Sampath Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:32 PM
This is the last thing they need to do. Fist get the lazy staff to act on intelligence then work on this if necessary. The last thing we want is public unrest at this moment which will create more support for Jihadist groups. There is no point how many faces they can see if they don't act upon any intelligence they get.
0 0
Sampath Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:32 PM
This is the last thing they need to do. Fist get the lazy staff to act on intelligence then work on this if necessary. The last thing we want is public unrest at this moment which will create more support for Jihadist groups. There is no point how many faces they can see if they don't act upon any intelligence they get.
0 0
Sampath Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:32 PM
This is the last thing they need to do. Fist get the lazy staff to act on intelligence then work on this if necessary. The last thing we want is public unrest at this moment which will create more support for Jihadist groups. There is no point how many faces they can see if they don't act upon any intelligence they get.
0 0
Sampath Gamvasam Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:32 PM
There is no point how many faces they can see if they don't act upon any intelligence they get.
0 0
kumar Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:33 PM
@be sensible: I think he meant to say that ban the burqa is not the only solution but to ban all extremist imports like Wahabism and Salafism.
0 0
Michael morgen Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:34 PM
If our ladies have the freedom to show out their breasts backs thighs and everything to everyone and the ones who look at them look with desire and think of raping etc etc then why don't the Muslims have the freedom to cover themselves. Which Thier religion hasn't forced them but it's their choice. if it's was forced in their religion then all the Muslims should be covered. Come on guys. Nowadays its not like those days where evil or clubs and casinos were all over and prostitution all over. It's a time where a lady goes and enjoy with another lady's husband. So that's the reason they are trying to become more modest and protect themselves from all these evil.
0 0
Karu Tuesday, 23 April 2019 06:36 PM
It's not about modesty but radicalisation. The suicide bombers weren't in Burquas is an argument but who would have allowed them in to the church in that dress. Muslims should shun fundamentalism and keep themselves away from terror group ideologies that have nothing to do with our country. A segregated life in a modern society will do more harm than good.
0 0
Sri Lankan Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:34 PM
Better late than never.
0 0
Niyas Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:34 PM
It is good move. Islam never teaches to cover face and hand. Most secret place for Muslims is Mecca where covering faces are banned in Islam then how is possible elsewhere?. Also take action against those who refuse vaccination and caring out home deliveries as well.
0 0
Sabry Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:42 PM
They wear this to cover their indentity and sickness in skin
0 0
Nisar Abdul Rahiman Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:43 PM
Guys I'm wondering how did women flee with burqas? Didn't the intelligence care to stop them and check during that crucial raid? If there is doubt on women wearing burqas I would suggest those wearing burqas have made investigations easy for forces... don't even announce that burqas are a cause for escape, but immediately use female forces and securities to thoroughly check every person with burqa irrelevant of where they are... if the doubt is on people with burqas, there are 1 or 2 % of people who need to be checked, this is an easy way to find out the culprits if the culprits are in burqas where as, if you ask them to remove burqas then all 20 million people will have to be investigated... If it is analysed that the people behind burqas are suspects, I think it's a filter that makes investigations easier...
0 0
Malin Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:45 PM
If the Muslim people care about other communities when there is a threat to the country the mosques should ban it with out waiting till government to do it.. as our stupid politicians will not do it if some money is thrown by some extremist elements.
0 0
Shareef Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:45 PM
Yes alright, bring it into law. But then our Intelligence Unit was unable to uncover and act upon the reports given long ago with or without the Burqa. Should such persons vested with Intelligence and the ministry involved be brought to justice. The truth should prevail.
0 0
kumar Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:52 PM
For the sake of the people should also ban all Thowheed organizations. They are capable to turn youngsters to extreme ideas.
0 0
xyz Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:53 PM
@Michael Morgan. My freedom ends where others are put at risk. Why should anyone be put in danger just because of others' superstitious beliefs
0 0
Sajith De Silva Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:55 PM
Sensible move and security of the people should be given top priority.
0 0
nihal Tuesday, 23 April 2019 03:59 PM
what else can one expect from a brain of a buffaloa ?
0 0
rama Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:10 PM
Take my word. neither PM or Prez does have backbone to do this.
0 0
Jeff Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:15 PM
Yes. Time to get these tribal cult to the modern civil society. Its already late but do it at least now..
0 0
Gehan Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:15 PM
Yes, ban the full burqua, also sharia schools that are hot beds of radicalism, muslim only state funded or private schools and full encouragement for the muslim.community to integrate with the rest of the population. Discourage the construction of large mosques around the country, particularly in areas where the majority are non muslim. Sri Lanka now has mosques in virtually all towns, large or small. This should at least be a start to deal with the various issues.
0 0
Dhammika Guneratne Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:29 PM
BAN the NIQAB , HIJAB and BURQA . It is a NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT ! .
0 0
Jayantha Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:37 PM
Ban these terrorist organization too
0 0
Jayantha Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:37 PM
Ban these terrorist organization too
0 0
Shanas Ismail Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:41 PM
As a Muslim I glad to hear the news. This should be implemented immediately
0 0
Nesam Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:42 PM
Buffalo Citizen, the hater of our country speaks without intelligence, once again.
0 0
Saradial Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:49 PM
Did any Suicide bomber come in Burga? No! Then why should worry that much? We need identification, that's fine. Did LTTE suicide bomber come in Burga? Well, this, not the time to discussing this matter. The government had neglected Intelligence on the attack and it was a big headache for Government and it wanted to turn the focus of the public in some other direction. They have introduced a new topic us to talk and argue. Now we will forget about their negligence. Also now the Muslim too in the same boat and have condemned these attacks. And they are very supportive and have started talking against extremist ideology. If we talk this move now we will lose support from the friction of the Muslim community. Why we can't discuss with them and find a solution later?
0 0
ranjith vas Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:52 PM
gosh. this is going to be messy. i can imagine regular raids by mainly sinhala army and police in Eravur and kathankudy etc. muslims not going to take this lightly. this why usa forces create more terrorism in iraq etc. this is going to be messy.
0 0
ranjith das Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:54 PM
gosh. this is going to be messy. i can imagine regular raids by mainly sinhala army and police in Eravur and kathankudy etc. muslims not going to take this lightly. this why usa forces create more terrorism in iraq etc. this is going to be messy.
0 0
ranjith das Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:54 PM
gosh. this is going to be messy. i can imagine regular raids by mainly sinhala army and police in Eravur and kathankudy etc. muslims not going to take this lightly. this why usa forces create more terrorism in iraq etc. this is going to be messy.
0 0
Same J Tuesday, 23 April 2019 04:57 PM
Only solution now is to ban this sickening dress the burqa and niqab before these terrorist use this dress to kill more innocent people,i ask the officials to implement this ban now immediately
0 0
Same J Tuesday, 23 April 2019 05:05 PM
Only solution now as a precaution is to ban this sickening dress the burqa and niqab before these terrorist use this dress to kill more innocent people,i ask the officials to implement this ban now immediately
0 0
Selva Tuesday, 23 April 2019 05:12 PM
Also ban the loudspeakers calling the muslims to prayer it is a public nuisance . A persons faith is a personal matter and should not inconvenience another .
0 0
Dee Tuesday, 23 April 2019 05:43 PM
Brother don't open this matter up. All the temples would also have to follow suit!
0 0
Haritha Tuesday, 23 April 2019 05:23 PM
root of this problem is there are 2 seperate legal systems in this country If a muslim woman (or a man) goes to a bank wearing the 'goni' nothing happens but a lady from another community goes to a bank ,she will be asked to remove her hat and sunglasses immediately.If a moslim have sex with an underage child (doesn't have to be a girl child) he is ok but every other citizen will be charged and sent to jail for 20 years.If a moslim marries 4 women its ok ,if another citizen msrries 2 women he will be jailed for 7 years for polygamy.who pays the corrupt politicos to maintain two legal systems ,which is unconstitutional,in this country?
0 0
Arthy Tuesday, 23 April 2019 05:28 PM
Please implement immediately
0 0
Athula Harischandra Tuesday, 23 April 2019 05:50 PM
Have some back bones and do what's right. Ban it with immediate effect as this was never the attire of Sri Lankan Muslims. These are worn by extremist elements in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan mostly. None of the moderate Arab countries follow this dress code either. Do that before it's too late.
0 0
Prabath Tuesday, 23 April 2019 05:53 PM
@Haritha I think you forget about Kandian law and Thesavalamai Law
0 0
Occam Tuesday, 23 April 2019 06:08 PM
.. and a good thing too .... this ostentatious display of piety was never previously part of Sri Lankan Muslim habit.
0 0
sunil vijaya Wednesday, 24 April 2019 05:16 AM
hijab is just a reulsive dress - aalah did not creat woman to be covered with black - he would have then given directions. this is WAHAABISM which SLFP and UNP govts did not understand. its radical non islamic ideology. that has to be banned. even one minister here is a supporter of wahaabism.
0 0
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Recommended
You May Also Like
