Homagama doctor resigns because niqab being prohibited during duty hours

Homagama doctor resigns because niqab being prohibited during duty hours

An incident was reported where a Muslim doctor attached to Homagama Base Hospital has resigned on her own for prohibiting the niqab dress which covers he face.

During a background where covering the face has been prohibited by gazette notification, the said doctor has been rendering services at a service unit while dressed in niqab and had reported to work in that manner in the last week of April, it is understood and on that occasion patients who were

present there had shown displeasure in receiving treatment from her. In that instance the patients too have protested to the authorities concerned, it was reported. The hospital medical superintendent has asked her to report to work without the face being covered which has thrown her into despondency and after such instructions she has refrained from reporting to duty; thus deciding to relinquish her duties.

Finally she has tendered her resignation to the hospital authorities, it is reported. Medical authorities have then taken steps to summon the said doctor and her husband to the office after which matters were explained. Then the doctor has engaged in an argument with her father n unison and has left the hospital. 

After her departure the doctor concerned has not reported to work without any notice till May 2nd and has given a telephone call that day and has informed that she was in a sick condition. Later, she has directed a letter to Dr. J. Hettiaarachchi, medical authority of Homagama hospital informing that she was resigning from her duties. "An incident like that happened in our hospital. After that incident she has still not reported to work. Later she has forwarded a letter to us saying that she wishes to resign from her position", the superintendent said and that authorities have still not sanctioned her resignation letter.