Last rites of COVID-19 victims; Govt to look into Muslims’ grievances

The special committee appointed to look into how the last rites of those who fall victim to COVID-19, will come up with a solution to the issues faced by the Muslims, Government informed Parliament today.

Minister of Justice Ali Sabry came out with this information in response to a question raised by the Opposition with regard to the matter.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who raised the issue in the House initially said, the Government has created an unnecessary issue pertaining to last rites of Muslims who fall victim to COVID-19.

SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said nine Muslims who have succumbed to COVID-19 have been cremated already. “They will cremate you and me if we die of COVID-19 today,” he told Minister Sabry.

Minister Sabry said the bodies of everyone who died of the disease were cremated as a precaution, as the virus was unknown during the past months. “We had to cremate as the virus was unknown. However the Committee appointed to look into the matter will come up with a solution to the issue shortly,” he said.

Earlier, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said “The expert committee appointed to look into the conduct of last rites of those who succumb to COVID-19 will meet this month to look into the grievances of Muslims.”  (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)