The Galle Magistrate’s Court has issued an order to hold the body of a Covid victim until the Health Ministry reaches a final decision on burials.
According to media reports, the body of 84-year-old Sheik Abdul Cadar has been ordered to be kept based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family.
A request has been made from the Court by the family to prevent the body from being cremated until a decision is taken on burials by the expert committee appointed in this regard.
The family had called on the court to permit the body to be placed in a freezer container at the Karapitiya Teaching hospital in Galle.
The Galle Magistrate had issued the verdict after consulting with the Health Services Director and had further instructed the Police to follow the advise.
The move comes after it was reported that Health Services Director Dr. Asela Gunawardena had suggested during a recent meeting that the remains of Muslim Covid victims be placed in freezer containers until a final decision is reached on the issues pertaining to burials.
The Daily Mirror reported that Dr. Gunawardena said that ashes of cremated Muslim Covid victims and unclaimed bodies have piled up in the mortuaries.
Dr. Gunawardena said that as bodies of Muslim Covid victims are placed with the bodies of victims from other faiths, there is a risk of the coronavirus spreading among hospital staff members.
During a discussion headed by the Prime Minister and Health Minister, it was suggested to the Justice Minister to provide freezer containers to store the bodies of Muslim Covid victims until a decision is reached on the burial matter.
In a letter issued last week (14), Dr. Asela Gunawardena had requested the Justice Minister to provide at least five freezer containers to the mortuaries as a temporary solution to the issue.
A silent protest was also held today by a group of people representing different religions in solidarity with Muslims and Christians who have been forced to cremate their loved ones who were victims of COVID-19.
The group consisting of individuals from all faiths, and free trade workers representing the Liberation Movement Sri Lanka tied white cloths at the Borella Cemetery in Colombo as a mark of protest against forced cremations. (NewsWire)
