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Burial of Covid-19 dead: Experts Committee to make final call

24 Dec 2020

  • President directs committee headed by Health Minister to decide 

  • Cabinet also calls on Experts Committee to decide 

  The Government is yet to take a final decision on the issue of allowing burials for Muslims who die of Covid-19, as the discussions held at the recent Cabinet meeting led to the matter being referred to the Expert Committee once again, according to Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.  He told The Morning that the Cabinet did not take a final decision at this week's meeting and the Expert Committee will look into the matter. Meanwhile, on Tuesday (22), sources at the Health Ministry told The Morning that a final decision would be taken at the Cabinet meeting.  When contacted, the President's Office confirmed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the Expert Committee, headed by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, to take a final decision and therefore, only the Health Minister can comment on the matter.    However, attempts made by The Morning to contact Health Minister Wanniarachchi and Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena were futile.  Meanwhile, in response to the proposal to place the bodies of Muslims who died of Covid-19 infection in refrigerated containers until a definite decision is made regarding their burial, DGHS Dr. Gunawardena has sent a letter to Minister of Justice Ali Sabry regarding the same. In his letter, the DG has requested for five refrigerated containers to be provided to the Chief Judicial Medical Officer’s offices in Colombo, Kalutara, Kandy, and Negombo, and the Ashraf Memorial Hospital in Kalmunai.  


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