It has been revealed that the decisions taken by the government regarding national security have gone astray due to internal conflicts. Sarath Weerasekara, cabinet Minister of Public Security, had announced that a cabinet paper banning the burqa had been signed. However, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella and the Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs have officially stated the opposite.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has stated that there is a proposal to ban the burqa and that it is not a matter to worry about as the government will act in a manner that does not prejudice any party. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Admiral Jayanath Colombage has issued an official statement stating that the government has not decided to ban the burqa or niqab, adding that it is just a proposal.
However, according to a statement made by Minister Sarath Weeraseka, the headline on the 15th of Dinamina was ‘Burqa banned, Minister signs cabinet paper’. Retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, Minister of Public Defense, further stated that he had signed the Cabinet Memorandum to ban the burqa. Minister Weerasekera also had said that it would directly affect the country’s national security, and therefore the decision had to be taken.
Before the current government came to power, its leaders formed a strong public opinion that the Ranil + Maitri coalition government’s internal conflicts posed a serious threat to national security. However, it is clear that there are conflicting opinions even regarding the cabinet papers signed by the ministers of the present government. This has brought the country into disrepute in the international community’s eyes and poses a severe threat to its security.
