COLOMBO – Burial or cremation has become a controversy when a Muslim dies in Sri Lanka, according to former Western Province Governor Azath Salley.
Recalling his personal experience, Salley pointed out that when Mohammed Firdouse, a renal patient died in Colombo, the health authorities had decided to send the remains to the crematorium concluding that the cause of death was Covid.
Following three days of protests, the former governor said the authorities have confessed a mix-up in the reports and finally gave the green light for the burial of the body since the death was not due to the virus.
Salley said that the callousness of the health authorities can cause unpleasant sentiments among the members of the bereaved family which will remain an eternal scar in the minds of the aggrieved people. Salley requested the concerned officers to take such matters seriously since they could be painful for the people who lose their dear ones.