Sri Lanka, Oct. 28 -- The Sri Lanka Nurses' Association (SLNA) has strongly opposed a statement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, allowing nurses to change their uniforms according to Muslim attire as they wish.

Issuing a statement, SLNA President W.A. Keerthirathne said the Minister's claim was misleading, as no official circular had been issued permitting any such change in nursing uniforms.

The SLNA noted that while a recent discussion among several Muslim civil society organisations concluded there were no legal barriers to Muslim nurses observing religious dress codes, the Minister's statement could create unnecessary confusion within the health sector.

Keerthirathne stressed that...