The Government of Sri Lanka(GoSL), withdraws the option which was available under Public Health Guidelines to allow the burial of the deceased Covid19 victims, which adversely affects the religious rights of the Muslim Community of Sri Lanka. This adverse decision was taken contrary to the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) relating to the disposal of bodies affected by the Corona Virus, which are being followed by many countries, including United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, Israel, Malaysia, Iran and Italy. In the absence of any scientific evidence of spread of disease after the body has been sealed in a body bag from respiratory or gastrointestinal fluids (and therefore there is no difference in cremation or burial with regard to spreading of the virus), this decision appear to be taken on other considerations. This will continue to cause much anxiety and anguish to the affected Muslim families in particular and the community in general. The GoSL should therefore reconsider reintroducing the amendment to provide the burial option too with strict conditions to avoid infection spread, as provided in the WHO guidelines, in addition to the cremation option.
If you are a family member, a relative or anyone known to a family whose loved ones were forcibly cremated due to Covid or suspected Covid, in Sri Lanka, please let us know your / their details. WhatsApp: +447401018964 Web Form: https://www.prgsrilanka.org/victims/
COVID-19 Related Incidents, News & Other Activities in Sri Lanka
Health Ministry reiterates position on Covid-19 cremation
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5th Muslim victim’s body was cremated forcefully
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No issue with cremating COVID-19 dead: Archdiocese
http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/No-issue-with-cremating-COVID-19-dead-Archdiocese/108-188143
Journalist Asiff Hussein sent an open letter to Dr Anil Jasinghe
Dear Dr.Anil Jasinghe It is with much sadness that I write this to you, all..Read More
The tragic circumstances and horrific treatment of the family of the deceased from Modara, who was misdiagnosed for COVID19
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The Organization of Islamic Cooperation expressed concern over reports that the SriLankan authorities cremated bodies of the Muslim victims of the Corona Virus pandemic
https://www.oic-oci.org/topic/?t_id=23386&t_ref=13999&lan=en
Sri Lanka ignores Muslim protests, forces cremation for coronavirus victims – TRT World
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/sri-lanka-ignores-muslim-protests-forces-cremation-for-coronavirus-victims-35373
Sri Lanka makes cremation compulsary for Covid-19 deaths – The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/sri-lanka-makes-cremation-compulsory-for-covid-19-deaths/articleshow/75109273.cms
Sri Lankan Government made cremation compulsaory for all victims of the virus, becoming the only country in the world to do so
Sri Lankan Government made cremation compulsaory for all victims of the virus, becoming the only..Read More
Burial vs cremation seen in the context of the viral threat – NewsIn Asia
https://newsin.asia/burial-vs-cremation-seen-in-the-context-of-the-viral-threat/
Sinhalese popstar Iraj Weeraratne, shared a false claim on Twitter that the ruler of Sharjah had banned burials in his emirate
The pick-up from local Sri Lankan media and hardline Sinhalese-Buddhist nationalists was so extensive that..Read More
Misleading claim circulates that Muslims ignored COVID-19 curfew at Sri Lankan mosque
A claim has been shared on Facebook and several Sri Lankan news websites that Muslims..Read More
