PM's office says will not follow dress code circular for state sector employees

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The Prime Minister’s office has informed the Public Administration Ministry that it would not follow its latest circular on regulating dress codes for state sector employees.

This decision was made after considering the recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka in this regard, the Prime Minister’s office said.

Six other ministries including the Education Ministry are expected to issue similar letters on the circular today (Jun 10).

According to the circular, female employees are compelled to wear a saree/osari to work while males are required to dress themselves in a shirt and trouser or the national dress.

The HRC in Sri Lanka, in a letter to the Public Administration Ministry, had stated that the circular will affect the females in comparison to males.

This is because females "wear many types of dress to work including, skirt and blouse, the abaya, business suits, and the shalwar kameez," the HRC's letter read.

"Many will have to incur heavy expenditure to comply with the circular in addition to the unease one may experience in being forced to wear a dress form which may not be one's cultural choice," the letter observed.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s office announced that this circular will be amended by the Public Administration Ministry in near future.

(DW)