FM meets Pakistan HC after protest against proposed ban on burqa

JVP: SL in trouble as govt. bigwigs don’t speak with one voice

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met Pakistan High Commissioner Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak after the latter expressed concern over Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera’s declaration that the burqa would be banned in keeping with the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry

(PCoI) on the Easter attacks. Pakistan HC warned such a ban would ‘injure’ the feelings of ordinary Muslims in Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

The Foreign Ministry said that Minister Gunawardena and Major General Khattak had met at the Foreign Ministry to discuss how to expand the bilateral relationship pursuant to the recent visit to Sri Lanka by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Both sides agreed to implement the projects which were announced during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan, including the setting up of mobile libraries donated by Pakistan and the offer of additional hundred medical scholarships to Sri Lankan students.

Minister Gunawardena, while welcoming the offer by Pakistan to open Buddhist pilgrim sites for Sri Lankans, conveyed that the aviation sector, along with Sri Lanka tourism would announce Pakistan – Sri Lanka sector travel packages soon. The Pakistan High Commissioner invited Buddhist monks, journalists and academics to undertake familiarization visits to Pakistan to witness the diversity of well-preserved Buddhist heritage sites.

High Commissioner Khattak extended an invitation for Minister Gunawardena to attend the Pakistan National Day celebrations on 23 March 2021 in Colombo.

Sharing a news report on the proposed ban, Khattak said on Monday in a Twitter thread: “The likely ban on Niqab #SriLanka will only serve as injury to the feelings of ordinary Sri Lankan Muslims and Muslims across the globe. At today’s economically difficult time due to Pandemic and other image related challenges faced by the country at international fora, such divisive steps in the name of Security, besides accentuating economic difficulties, will only serve as a fillip to further strengthen wider apprehensions about fundamental human rights of minorities in the country.”

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Rishad Bathiudeen appreciated the stand taken by Pakistan.

SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris on Monday told regular weekly briefing at Waters Edge that the burqa would be banned in terms of the (PCoI) recommendations. Prof. Peiris is on record as having said that the government would implement all PCoI recommendations except the banning of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the government should be ashamed of the way it handled such a sensitive issue. “The Public Security Minister made an announcement. His declaration was dismissed by Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage and the Cabinet Spokesman.” Dissanayake said that the incumbent government had made policy U-turns on several occasions.

Well informed sources said that Pakistan’s response to the proposed ban on the burqa caused a lot of apprehension among government members. Pakistan represents the Asia Group in the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Sources said that Sri Lanka always received Pakistan’s backing at the UNHRC and unnecessary rift a week before a high profile vote on the UK-led Core Group sponsored resolution could further undermine Sri Lanka’s stand. (SF)