There is no risk of a new COVID-19 variant spreading in Sri Lanka Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said, citing data from the Epidemiology Unit.

Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Health acknowledged recent media reports of rising COVID-19 cases in parts of Asia, noting that factors such as reduced population immunity could be contributing. Dr Jasinghe however assured that Sri Lanka has taken the necessary national-level precautions to safeguard public health.

The Ministry of Health said ongoing surveillance through selected hospitals has not detected an increase in COVID-19 patients. Laboratory systems remain active to identify any early signs of an outbreak.

While cases may rise periodically—similar to other respiratory illnesses like influenza—the risk to the general public remains low. However, special attention is advised for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic conditions.

Dr. Jasinghe also urged the public to maintain basic hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and to rely solely on official updates from health authorities. (Newswire)

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MP Rauff Hakeem called on the government to maintain and release records of individuals cremated during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly Muslim patients.

“Do not hide behind the Right to Information Act (RTI). We request you to provide details of Muslim patients who died of COVID-19 and were cremated. This must be openly discussed,” Hakeem said, accusing the government of concealing information. He also said that the incident was a blemish on the country’s health authorities.

Hakeem criticized the previous administration, noting that the new government was elected to rectify such mistakes.

Responding to the question, Health Minister Nalinda Jayathissa said that the government is in no way attempting to conceal information.

“This is not an issue of concealing information; it is about medical ethics. Under the RTI, divulging patient details is not permissible, and we have no right to withhold this information. You are well aware that the then government made Cabinet decisions that were not based on scientific evidence,” Jayathissa said.

Hakeem, requesting the government to publicize the names, addresses, and close relatives of those who succumbed to COVID-19 and were cremated, countered, however, that it is not an ethical issue. “How is that an ethical issue? It is true this was a mistake of the previous government, but I don’t understand how it is an ethical issue,” Hakeem said.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stressed that families and communities affected by the decision must be compensated.

The government stated that the matter will be deliberated in consultation with the Attorney General to determine the release of details, reiterating that it does not intend to conceal any information.

This was followed by several statements from both government and opposition MPs who agreed that the decision of the previous government led to grave injustices to the Muslim community.

Hakeem called for official inquiries within the Health Department, highlighting that certain officials who were part of the committee that deliberated on COVID-19 cremations have now been appointed to higher offices.

“At least conduct a departmental inquiry. Those people must be penalized,” Hakeem said. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe apologised for the Sri Lankan Government’s decision to enforce cremations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The President addressing Parliament on Tuesday, said that every citizen should have the right to determine how their final rites are conducted. 

“In this country, any person should have the right to determine whether he or she is buried, cremated or given to the medical faculty,” the President said. 

The President was referring to the controversial decision taken by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government to enforce cremating Muslim and Christian victims of COVID-19, which goes against their religious beliefs. The decision drew widespread criticism, including from the United Nations and Human Rights organizations. 

In February 2021, the  Government lifted the controversial regulation introduced in March 2020, following months of protests from Muslim and civil rights groups. 

“During this time there was a lot of pain, witnessed mainly by the Muslims, but there are also Hindus, Buddhists and Christians who also like to bury.  We would like to apologise to them on what has happened,” President Wickremesinghe said.

President Wickremesinghe recalled that many countries initially halted burials as a precaution, and the World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed the matter. In Sri Lanka, a committee was appointed, which recommended against allowing burials, the President said. 

“But the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the committee. So the Government had to follow that and there was no choice at that stage. But now all this is over,” he said. 

With the situation now resolved, the Government plans to introduce a law granting the right to burial, cremation, or body donation to medical institutions, President Wickremesinghe announced. He expressed hope that the House will support the implementation of the Bill. (Newswire)

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