By

Stanley Samarasinghe

M. Kairul Nisa Awoof, a practising Muslim woman, filed a fundamental rights application before the Supreme Court, seeking permission to enter the premises of Nawala Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya clad in the Islamic attire.

According to the petition, filed through her lawyer, Gowry Shangary Thavarasa, the petitioner, a mother of four children, shifted to Colombo from Hambantota to further the education of her children.

She had added that her husband is employed abroad. She is a practising Muslim. She said that she regularly vistited Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, where her eldest daughter is studying and Janadhipathi Vidyalaya, Rajagiriya where her son is being educated. To date nobody has objected to her attire as being indecent, improper or unacceptable.

The petitioner however said that Nayana Lakshitha Perera, Principal of Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala and Assistant Principal K.C. Padmamali had had objected to and had prevented her from entering the school in Muslim attire.

Petitioner said that as a result, she has been prevented from “effectively” seeing to her daughters’ education ..

Therefore, the petitioner has requested Court to grant leave to proceed with the application and declare that her fundamental rights were violated.

COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY