Sri Lanka has banned all forms of facial coverings including burqas from April 29

Colombo: In the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks in the island nation that claimed lives of more than 250 people, Sri Lanka has banned all forms of facial coverings including burqas with effect from April 29.

The decision has been taken by Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena under emergency regulations and as per the presidential decree, the restriction will come into effect from Monday in order to ensure public safety.

Notably, this is an intermediate ban 'Under Emergency law' and is not permanent however as of now anything and everything which obstructs facial features is banned.

Since the bombings, Islamic clerics have also urged Muslim women not to cover their faces, fearing a backlash from the majority Buddhist community. Muslims account for about 10 per cent of the country's 21 million population.

This has come amid a nationwide crackdown on suspects and members of the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), the local terror outfit behind the attack. So far a total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil-medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the serial blasts that rocked the island nation.

As many as 50 SIM cards and other incriminating items were recovered from the teacher. He was arrested in a joint operation carried out by the Kalpitya Police and the Navy. Meanwhile, the organisation NTJ has been banned in the country.

Earlier on Friday, as many as 15 people were killed in a raid conducted by Sri Lankan forces on the hideout of terrorists. According to reports, three terrorists were killed in a gunfight while other three blew themselves up killing at least three women and children inside the safe house.