Education Minister clarifies ban on face covering garments and full face helmets

Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has issued a letter to the heads of all schools addressing the confusion regarding the ban on face covering garments and full face helmets.

Issuing a press release, the Education Ministry noted that there had been confusion during some instances where parents and teachers were denied entry to certain schools since they had worn such head coverings.

The letter issued by the Education Minister said the Human Rights Commission (HRC) had stressed that the people of all communitites must be treated equally.

The HRC had cautioned that security checks must be done in a proper manner since any negative experience could  result in the disruption of the country's peace, Minister Kariyawasam said.

Accordingly, the HRC had sent a graphical illustration to the Education Ministry outlining garments and materials which have been banned. The graphic relates to gazette No. 2121/1 and gazette No. 2123/4 published on April 29 and May 13 respectively.