• Says Govt. made COVID-19 response communal to win votes
• Requests Govt. not to take decisions based on political expediencies
• Tells Health Minister to keep religious/cultural sensitivities in mind when making COVID -19 related decisions

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday requested the government not to take decisions related to COVID-19 based on political expediency, but to do so based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, including those related to the disposal of bodies of those who succumb to the illness.

“The Health Minister has told Parliament numerous times that the authorities take decisions according to WHO guidelines. The WHO has said that both burials and cremations are permissible for those who die of COVID-19 and this is the practice in 194 countries except Sri Lanka,” Premadasa said.

Speaking during the votes of the Ministry of Health, the Opposition Leader said the matter must be addressed keeping in mind the religious and cultural sensitivities of the followers of the Islamic faith.

“Last time I raised this issue in the House, the Minister said that there is an expert committee, but I know that was an answer the Health Minister made up at that time. How many members of the Muslim community who have not died of COVID-19 have been forcibly cremated? Can the Minister inform this House?” he asked.

Premadasa added that the whole problem arose as the COVID-19 response was turned into a communal issue to win votes. “Please take such decisions based on the religious sensitivities of the community. If there was a problem with burials, the WHO would have said so by now.”

He also said that if there is an expert committee, as claimed by the Minister, its findings should be made public. 

SC to hear further submissions today on FR petition challenging mandatory cremations