Burial Or Cremation Inappropriate Time To Split Hairs

Rauff Hakeem was branded as a racist for upholding a religious right. President’s counsel Ali Sabry too spoke apparently in support of burial Local Muslim community seem to be divided over burial/cremation issue

- M. S. M. Ayub

The disposal of remains of COVID19 patients in Sri Lanka has turned into a hot topic among certain sections of Sri Lankan society while rekindling communal hatred against one another. Going by the manner in which the present debate over the issue is taking place, one has to look into the debate and the issue separately.

Firstly, let’s delve into the debate. The authorities had first announced that only cremation would be permitted of those who succumb to the deadly coronavirus. However, on March 27, they had permitted burial as well, as another option to dispose of the dead bodies, reportedly following representations by certain religious groups. Director-General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Anil Jasinghe also, while talking to media, confirmed that both options were permitted. The video is still tagged with the story in some websites.

However, the Ministry again reverted to its former stance on the issue in a new set of guidelines issued on March 31. This has hurt the Muslims in the country, as they never cremate dead bodies. When this matter was raised by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem with a plea to reconsider the government’s decision at a meeting headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the appeal was politely rejected by the latter. Hakeem cited that the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines had permitted burial of bodies of COVID19 patients but the Prime Minister replied that every decision in respect of combating COVID-19 threat has been taken on the advice of the experts of the health sector.