HRCSL calls for new rules allowing religious attire for Govt employees

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has recommended that the government issue a new circular explicitly permitting public sector employees to wear religious attire alongside their prescribed official uniforms.

In its recommendation to the Ministry of Public Administration, the Commission called for clear guidelines protecting the religious freedom of public officers while ensuring that they remain identifiable when performing official duties.

The proposed guidelines would allow employees to wear clothing consistent with their religious beliefs, including head coverings and other modest attire, alongside their official uniforms.

The recommendation follows an HRCSL investigation into a dispute at the Kalmunai North Base Hospital, where six Muslim female healthcare assistants complained that they had been prevented from wearing headscarves, long sleeves and trousers in addition to their prescribed uniforms.

In its decision dated October 12, the Commission found that the hospital authorities had violated several constitutional rights, including freedom of religion, equality before the law, protection against discrimination and freedom to engage in lawful employment.

The Commission observed that existing public administration circulars issued in 1989 and 2022 did not expressly prohibit religious head coverings.

It also noted that other government hospitals in the region permitted similar religious attire, raising concerns about inconsistent application of dress code regulations.

The recommendation seeks to establish clearer standards for religious attire in government workplaces while balancing employees’ constitutional rights with official uniform and identification requirements.

The HRCSL has requested a report on the implementation of its recommendations by November 11, 2026. (Newswire)

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