In the aftermath of the series of bombings on Easter Sunday that killed more than 250 people and wounded at least 500 in Sri Lankan churches and hotels, the President of Sri Lanka banned burqa in the country.

 

 

Calling burqas "a security risk and a flag of fundamentalism," Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has approved the ban and issued a presidential decree in this regard.

 

The ban will be effective from today. The country is still on high alert a week after the bomb attacks, with warnings that more violence could be imminent. Police have carried out a number of raids in the eastern part of the country in their search for the attackers. On Friday night, 10 civilians, including six children, were killed along with six suspected terrorists after a shootout between police and alleged militants.