Fundamental Rights of Kalmunai North Base Hospital Employees Violated: Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
14-Oct-2026.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has stated that the fundamental rights of six Muslim female healthcare assistants working at the Kalmunai North Base Hospital were violated when the hospital administration instructed them not to wear religious attire, including the hijab.
In a report issued following an investigation into the controversial matter, the Commission said the hospital administration had unlawfully restricted the employees’ freedom of religion, discriminated against them and violated their legal right to engage in employment.
The Commission also noted that the circulars issued in 1989 and 2022 did not explicitly prohibit public officials from wearing hijabs or other modest garments based on their religious beliefs.
It further pointed out that another hospital in the Ampara District permitted Muslim female employees to wear religious attire without restrictions. In this context, the Commission found the Kalmunai hospital administration’s interpretation of the circulars to be arbitrary and unreasonable.
The Commission also expressed concern over the decision to transfer the employees who lodged complaints without conducting any disciplinary inquiry, stating that such action violated rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution.
Against this background, the Commission recommended that the following measures be taken:
Issue written guidelines permitting employees to wear additional garments, including the hijab, in accordance with their religious beliefs, alongside the prescribed uniform.
Conduct an impartial inquiry into the allegations by the employees that they had been subjected to verbal harassment by the Kalmunai hospital administration.
Allow all six affected female employees to resume their duties at the Kalmunai North Base Hospital.
Ensure that the employees are permitted to wear attire consistent with their religious beliefs when they return to work.
