Victims of COVID-19 Govt. should make a final decision on last rites without delay

By Yohan Perera 

Government should make a final decision on the last rites of those who succumb to COVID-19 without further delay, National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) said yesterday. 

NMSJ President former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said the government should follow the guidelines of WHO and ensure that last rites of those who succumb are done in a dignified manner. 

“Government seems to be dragging the issue without making a proper decision with regard to the issue. A considerable number of bodies of some Muslims remain in freezers is ample proof for this situation,” Mr. Jayasuriya said. 

“Burying Muslims who succumb to COVID-19 in another country is a disrespectful act where those people are concerned and the country as a whole,” he added referring to reports which said Sri Lanka is in discussion with the Maldives to bury Muslims who succumb to COVID-19 in that country. 

“NMSJ is saddened by this move to bury Muslims who die of COVID-19 in another country,” he also said.