Following the death of about two hundred and fifty people in the Easter attack on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday banned the covering of faces for easy identification.
He said he was using an emergency law to impose the restriction from Monday, 29th od April. He has pointed out that any face garment which hinders identification will be banned to ensure security. The Muslim leaders have since criticised his orders.
However, days after the attack, Sri Lankan government mounted enough security to secure the nooks and crannies of the country. 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.
Reports has it that the number of people arrested in connection with the killings rose to about 150. Security personnel’s are also hunting for around 140 followers of the jihadist group Islamic State.
The jihadist group Islamic State were accused of being behind the attacks.