Sri Lanka, Nov. 1 -- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), stated that Muslim women should be allowed to access health services while wearing the hijab, but opposed the wearing of the niqab and burqa.

Addressing the media, the Thera said that as Sinhalese nationals, it is wrong to oppose the hijab, which allows women to be identified, but garments covering the entire face, such as the niqab and burqa, should be discouraged.

He explained that while the hijab does not conceal identity, the burqa can make identification difficult, adding that some Muslim women wearing the burqa have obtained driving licenses and identity cards.

The Thera further argued that there is no need to adopt such foreign c...