The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has recommended that the government issue a new circular explicitly permitting public sector employees to wear attire in accordance with their religious traditions, in addition to their prescribed uniforms.
In submitting this recommendation to the Ministry of Public Administration, the Commission has requested the formulation of clear guidelines that safeguard the religious freedom of public officers while ensuring their identity remains verifiable during the performance of their official duties.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has requested a report on the implementation of these recommendations by November 11, 2026.
These proposed guidelines would enable employees to wear clothing consistent with their religious beliefs—including headgear and other modest attire—alongside their official uniforms.
This recommendation follows an inquiry conducted by the Human Rights Commission regarding a dispute that arose at the Kalmunai North Base Hospital. In this instance, six Muslim female health workers lodged complaints stating that hospital authorities had prevented them from wearing headscarves (hijabs), long-sleeved garments, and trousers in addition to their prescribed uniforms.
In a ruling delivered on October 12, the Commission pointed out that hospital authorities had violated several constitutional rights, including freedom of religion, equality before the law, freedom from discrimination, and the freedom to engage in lawful employment.
The Commission stated that, according to its observations, existing public administration circulars issued in 1989 and 2022 do not explicitly prohibit the wearing of religious headscarves.