The Supreme Court today ordered the Attorney General to issue directives to all public institutions to permit to wear the traditional Muslim cultural attire when entering public places. When the case was taken up for hearing before the Chief Justice Mohan Pieris, he said that the traditional Muslim attire is well within the identity of the Sri Lankan culture and that Muslim women have a right to wear such attire a it causes harm to none.
Thereafter, the Chief Justice asked whether the petitioner parent was present in court. The petitioner stood up and upon seeing the attire, the Chief Justice commended her dress and said that the attire was well within the boundaries of decency.
Accordingly the Supreme Court bench ordered the Attorney General to issue instructions to all public institutions not to obstruct people who wear traditional Muslim attire.
The case was filed over an incident where the Principal of Janadipathi Vidyalaya, Rajagiriya, ordered a student to remove her traditional Muslim attire. The BBS and several hardcore Sinhala Buddhist organizations strongly backed the Principal.
M M Zuhair PC with Hafeel Farisz, Charith Samaradiwakara and Shfraz Hamza appeared for the petitioner.
Manohara De Silva appeared for the principal and Thishya Weragoda appeared for provincial authorities. Deputy solicitor general Sanjaya Rajareathnam appeared on behalf of the Attorney General
AM