• CMC Chief MOH says no hike in charges for ‘ash urn burial/tombstone erection plots’ in 3-yrs
• Adds that cremation charges changed with gas price hikes but still done for denizens/welfare beneficiaries at less than the actual cost 

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday (8) asserted that the CMC has not increased the charges for allocating land plots for the urn-based burial of the ashes of dead persons in the Colombo City area.

This was in response to media reports claiming that the CMC has significantly increased its charges to allocate lands for the burial of the ashes of dead persons, which are generally two square feet in size. These media reports said that the CMC has increased the charges up to Rs. 180,000. In this regard, the CMC’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni told The Daily Morning that those charges have not changed for three years. He added that as per the rates determined by the assessors three years ago, the CMC currently charges Rs. 500,000 for a two square foot land plot, which is used to bury the ashes of dead persons in an urn and to build a tombstone upon it. According to him, these land plots are provided on a permanent basis.

It was reported this week that a former CMC member had complained to President Ranil Wickremesinghe about the alleged increase in charges, and the said member was quoted as saying that the matter had been referred to the Western Province Governor, Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke. In addition, it was said that cremation charges have also increased, which will impact Colombo’s poor.

With regard to the charges for cremations, which is said to have increased to Rs. 10,000 for residents of the Colombo City and Rs. 20,000 for those residing outside of the City, Dr. Wijayamuni explained: “Cremation charges, which is around Rs. 20,000, include the expenses relating to gas, maintenance and repairs of crematoriums, electricity, and employees. Out of that amount, only 50% is charged from a resident of Colombo City. Those receiving the Samurdhi or Aswesuma benefits are charged only 25% of that amount, which is Rs. 5,000. Charges changed with the increase of gas prices.”

Goonetileke was not reachable for comment.