Compulsory cremation of Covid-19

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today asserted that the decision taken by the experts’ committee to cremate all COVID-19 related dead bodies will not be changed on any social, religious, political or personal grounds. She told Parliament that the decision of the expert committee is to cremate all COVID-19 related dead bodies and added that the government will firmly implement that …

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has observed that burial of COVID-19 dead bodies could be permitted in Sri Lanka according to the currently available scientific evidence.  The Association said that a decision was made by the Director General of Health Services  to cremate all dead bodies of COVID-19 positive patients based on the limited scientific evidence that was available …

The 11-Member Expert Panel appointed by the Ministry of Health has revised its recommendation to include both cremation and burial of COVID-19 dead bodies in Sri Lanka.  The panel chaired by Prof. Jennifer Perera, Senior Professor in Microbiology in its recommendations submitted to the Ministry of Health this week said, “’While firmly standing by on the previous recommendation and guidelines on exclusive …

A protest campaign organised by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was held in front of the Borella General Cemetery Colombo today. The protesters requested the authorities not to burn the bodies of the Muslim COVID victims and also they urged to stop forcible cremation. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Fifty-year-old mother of three, Fathima Shakeela died on December 14 while undergoing treatment at the Homagama Base Hospital. Shakeela has been receiving treatment for a kidney ailment for more than one and half years. Incidentally, she was tested positive for COVID-19 when she went to the National Hospital for her third dialysis, which was earlier fixed for November 31 but …