Sri Lanka has banned face coverings in public, following a spate of suicide attacks on Easter Sunday that killed at least 250 people and injured hundreds.

President Maithripala Sirisena said he was using an emergency law to impose the restriction from Monday.

Any face garment which "hinders identification" will be banned to ensure security, his office said. Muslim leaders criticised the move.

The niqab and burka - worn by Muslim women - were not specifically named.

The move is perceived as targeting those garments, however.

Sri Lanka remains on high alert eight days after Islamist attacks that hit churches and hotels.

Dozens of suspects have been arrested, but local officials have warned that more militants remain at large.

How many people are affected?
Sri Lanka has a sizeable and centuries-old Muslim population - of the country's 21-million population, just under 10% are Muslim.

Only a small number of women are thought to wear the face-covering niqab, or the burka - a one-piece garment that covers the face and body.

Last week a Sri Lankan MP had proposed a ban on women wearing the burka, saying it should be outlawed on security grounds.

Muslim groups have been highly critical of the president's decision.

"It is the stupidest thing to do. Three days ago we [the Muslim community] took a voluntary decision regarding this. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulema told all Muslim women not to wear face veils for security reasons. If they wanted to wear a veil, then they were told not to come out," Hilmy Ahmed, vice-president of the Sri Lanka Muslim Council, told the BBC.

"We see this as a reflection of the conflict between the president and the prime minister. We strongly criticise the decision. We will not accept the authorities interfering with the religion without consulting the religious leadership."

Several countries have permanently banned full-face veils in public places, including France, Belgium and Denmark.

Chad, Gabon and the Republic of Congo in Africa also have restrictions in place.

What's the situation on the ground?
Over the weekend thousands of Sri Lankan troops stood guard on the streets, protecting churches and mosques.

Sunday church services were cancelled across the country as a precaution, but worshippers in the capital gathered to pray outside St Anthony's Shrine, which was badly damaged in the attacks.

The number of people arrested in connection with the bloodshed rose to 150. Authorities are also hunting for around 140 followers of the jihadist group Islamic State, which has said it was behind the bombings, but has not provided firm evidence of direct involvement.

On Friday, security forces raided a safe house used by the Islamist group NTJ, which authorities have said was behind the attacks. The group was founded by Zahran Hashim, the alleged organiser of the bombings who blew himself up at a hotel in Colombo.

As troops moved in on Friday, three men set off explosives, killing themselves, six children and three women. Three other people died in gunfire.

Hashim's father and two brothers were among those who died in the operation.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48088834?iorg_service_id_internal=624173547714020%3BAfoJQ5C_s_63Vuwq

Sri Lanka has banned face coverings in public, following a spate of suicide attacks on Easter Sunday that killed at least 250 people and injured hundreds.

Very good decision!
A drastic situation require drastic measures

Cowbuhari:
Muslims including buhari r terrorists

Who gave birth to dis?!
Ba sense samsam!
smh

Good one....

They should also ban burkas.....for additional safety.

Geat

That covering thing looks like fraud to me.
The one who’s gon be faithful to a man would be faithful whether covered or not..
Face nor be private part na

Good job

You see! Let one mumu cover face come my side, na blow I go take komot the nonsense

Way to go
If it were to be in Nigeria where this ban was imposed, the whole country would be in flame by now!

Thank you Satan.

Better

Nkan n be!

You can have your professional website today...check my signature

Very nice, next is Nigeria...... I just wishes for the dullar'd to do same here in Nigeria...

Same thing they're trying to legalize in schools here

Gud one

Muslims including buhari r terrorists

No time serious government

post=77962286:

Very good decision!
A drastic situation reequire drastic measures

have they not paid you?

Exactly what the terrorists want done - Pit, hitherto, brother against brother.

There is no more call for violence in the Quran than it is in the Scriptures. Both books categorically demand of their faithfuls to be violent. And don't give the excuse of self-defence.

But somehow, humanity has prevailed over the most believers of both faith to, in their own wisdom, wage peace irrespective.

Lizilicious:
Good one....

Hello

Fantastic decision

Cowbuhari:
Muslims including buhari r terrorists

Who gave birth to dis tin?!
Ba sense samsam!!

If and only if this can be adopted in the North East, maybe suicide bombings will reduce to a reasonable extent.

The Muslims won't like this even when they know the reason for the ban is justified.

Whatever promotes security.

Great move!

Hijab is next and finally ban on Islam worldwide

religion of piss we carry out a reprisal attack on this move

Why do people judge prostitutes so hard when accountants also screw people and get paid for it too?

EdwardRandy:
The Muslims won't like this even when they know the reason for the ban is justified.

as them no get brain

springtech:
If and only if this can be adopted in the North East, maybe suicide bombings will reduce to a reasonable extent.

it's their problem