COLOMBO : Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Thursday that cremation policy is only a health issue not a religious problem.
Rajapaksa held discussions with Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi,Justice Minister Ali Sabry, state Minister of Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID-19 Prevention Dr.Sudharshani Fernandopulle, minister of Water Supply and Drainage Board Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Muslim parliamentarians and some officials from the Health Ministry and urged health officials to find a solution to this matter stating that Muslim and Catholic community had raised concerns over the cremation policy.
Rajapaksa questioned the health officials as to what was the solution to this matter to which it was suggested that a dry land should be found for safe burial for COVID-19 infected dead bodies.
Rajapaksa questioned the health authorities and the Ministers as to why such a land had not been found yet,to which they replied that by next week, they would come up with a suitable plot.
However,Rajapaksa told his men to find a suitable land for for burial in a couple of days and submit a report immediately stating that he would not allow this matter to be further delayed. Rajapaksa further said the burial issue of COVID-19 victims was presently a concern for all and he wanted an immediate solution.
The premier called on health authorities to find an immediate solution to the burial issue of Muslim COVID-19 victims following serious concerns raised by the Muslim community over the cremation only policy.
During the discussions, it was revealed that the germs in a Covid infected dead bodies will be active only for 36 days.
