Iranativu chosen as burial ground for COVID-19 remains

Iranativu, an island in the Kilinochchi District, has been chosen as the burial ground for COVID-19 remains as per the recommendations of the technical committee appointed on the matter, Cabinet Spokesperson and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

At the press briefing held on decisions made by Cabinet, Rambukwella said the decision was made on Monday and that all relevant parties were to be informed. He added that more details on the matter will be shared during the course of the day.

When asked why burials cannot take place elsewhere in Sri Lanka if groundwater contamination is not a concern in the small island of Iranativu, Rambukwella said: “I will certainly take this up with the committee that has made the decision.”

He commented that the island may get water from elsewhere, which he said could be a reason for the expert committee’s “highly technical” decision. According to Rambukwella, the decision was made by the technical committee and was not politically motivated.

“A gazette has been presented and a final decision on the modalities was taken [on Monday].” 

Burials will take place in accordance with health guidelines and all preliminary work has been completed already.

Given the distance from Colombo, concerns were raised regarding the cost of transportation of COVID-19 remains. Addressing these concerns Rambukwella said: “The Government will bear all costs.”

The Government’s decision has been criticised heavily on social media, with Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Rauff Hakeem yesterday tweeting: “Banish the bodies to Iranativu! They created the false narrative and wish to prove they were right all along. There is no end to their sadistic pleasure in harassing a hopelessly traumatised community. Pathetic racism prevails!”