The order did not specify any religion but said the ban would cover “any face garment which hinders identification… to ensure national security”. “There were incidents today when men were chasing women wearing face veils and forcefully removing them. At the same time, who gave the All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulema (ACJU) the right to agree to such a ban? Seyyid was referring to statements from the Muslim clergy after the blasts permitting women to remove their face veils due to security considerations. Showing our faces to strangers is a matter of concern for us.”Incidentally, a ban on face veils is a longstanding demand of radical Buddhist Sinhala groups.

Source: Indian Express April 29, 2019 23:26 UTC