MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO : An additional two acres of land have been acquired to the existing five-acre Oddamavadi Covid Burial Grounds in the Eastern Province.
Confirming the acquisition, Chairman of the Oddamavadi Pradeshiya Sabha A.M.Nowfer told Colombo Times that the additional space was required to give way for the increasing number of Covid deaths among the Muslims.
So far, he said : “ We have buried 1,971 bodies in the five acre- plot which include Muslim bodies- 1,819, Hindus-74, Christians-34 and Buddhists 44.” He added that the allotted land for burial is full now and we have to take these two acres with the consent of the owners, who will be compensated with lands in some other areas in the province.
“ We have suggested an alterantive place burial in Kinniya and we hope the authorities will look into this matter positively,” he added.
Noufer said that with the rapid spread of the disease in the country, the average number of deaths has been on the increase lately. Those days, we used to receive an average of 10 dead bodies a day for burial but now it has been multiplied to an average of 40 remains a day.
The Sudupathinasena, Oddamavai burial area was allocated recently by the government to serve Muslim interests to have decent burial for Muslim dead bodies in accordance with the Islamic regulations and also to accommodate Covid remains that come from other faiths.
Noufer thanked some donors who helped the authorities to equip the place for a decent and quick burial. Some, he said, has donated excavator to dig the graves quickly and another donor has donated a water bowser for the visitors to quench their thirst. “ Now we need a tractor to mobilize the bowser to transport water to the burial site,shall be thankful if someone can donate this vehicle,”he noted.
The chairman also thanked the tri forces, government departments including health ministry and concerned authorities who help the aggrieved Sri Lankans who come there for Covid burials from all parts of the island.
