To bury or cremate? Expert report goes to Health Ministry

A newly appointed expert committee to examine whether the bodies of persons who die due to COVID-19 should be cremated or buried submitted its report to the Health Ministry yesterday. The committee headed by Chair and University of Colombo Faculty of Medicine Department of Microbiology Senior Professor Jennifer Perera submitted the report yesterday evening.

The Government is slated to make a final decision on the contentious issue of how to dispose of bodies of COVID-19 victims based on the findings of the experts.

Members of the Muslim community are strongly opposed to the mandatory cremation rule that came into effect in April under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance.