Two expert committees clash over burial of Covid-19 victims

4 January 2021 08:02 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Some members from the first and second appointed expert committees,set up to study and recommend if COVID-19 victims could be buried,had clashed during a meeting held on Dec.31,with contradicting views,with some members saying burials could cause harm while all 11 members of the second committee saying burials could be permitted,the Daily Mirror learns.

Health Minister, Pavithra Wanniarachchi had decided to appoint a second expert committee consisting of 11 members which include virologists, microbiologists and immunologists on Dec. 24 following intervention by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who urged for an immediate solution over the matter.

The Daily Mirror learns that all 11 members of the second committee had been questioned separately by a panel which included Ministers Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle, epidemiologists and Health Ministry officials and all 11 members had informed them that there was enough scientific evidence to show that burials would cause no harm as the COVID-19 was a respiratory illness and not a waterborne disease and bodies should be disposed within 24 hours, placed within a double-layered body bag prior to being placed in a coffin.

The members had also informed the panel that scientific evidence of COVID-19 had changed over the months, and as experts studied this disease more, it showed that dead bodies could not pollute the soil and water.

Some members were of the view that apart from the World Health Organisation, the International Centre for Disease Control and Prevention had also gone on to recommend that burials could be permitted.

Scientists and experts have been studying the SARS-COV 1 which broke out in some countries in 2003 and have accumulated data from that virus.“now it is 17 years since that virus and it was more dangerous than COVID-19 as the mortality rate was around 10 to 15 percent. But there has been no single case of harm caused by burying these victims. So there is more than enough scientific evidence out there to make this concrete decision to allow burials,” an official familiar with the case said.(JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 16

Shunmugalingham Monday, 04 January 2021 09:21 AM

There is NOT a single Scientist in any of the committees. All so called virologists, microbiologists,and immunologists in the committees are all doctors. What do doctors know , they just waiting for the vaccines to arrive and then inoculate the people, this is the only thing they know.

Justice Monday, 04 January 2021 09:42 AM

virologists, microbiologists and immunologists, says burial is possible, but the first team which only consists of racists says not possible.. Mr. President over to you...

A Ahamed Monday, 04 January 2021 09:54 AM

Racism Vs Science

James lanka Monday, 04 January 2021 09:56 AM

It’s a shame that only in Sri Lanka that burial is not allowed , top virologists from 190 plus countries don’t have a issue while our half baked non qualified virologist make the move with racist motives .

Yehiya Monday, 04 January 2021 09:59 AM

Dear Professionals. Be professional .

Ronnie Bugger Monday, 04 January 2021 10:08 AM

Professionals and experts behaving like toddlers. Easy way out - cremate the top half and bury the bottom half of the corpse. Problem solved.

mackie noohuthambi Monday, 04 January 2021 10:09 AM

it is a humane verdict. the president and the prime minister can now go ahead with the burials, and soften the hearts of muslims of sri lanka.

Virologist Monday, 04 January 2021 10:36 AM

Expert committee??? Calling these jokers as "experts" is an insult to all experts...what is needed is a "common sense " committee....

Bernard Monday, 04 January 2021 10:37 AM

Even an ordinary person would have understood the basic fact that the burial of COVID-19 victims would not pose any environmental hazard unless he or she is re-incarnated and our health top brass have to understand this simple logic In their deliberations.

Moorthy Badulla Monday, 04 January 2021 10:41 AM

It could have been solved much easily earlier.But,now it has become everybody's baby making things very much complicated. Don't let it grow further and comes to a amicable solution.

Expat Monday, 04 January 2021 11:01 AM

We have idiots in our country. We need external advise. Get help from WHO, UK, USA, EU. Please keep monks out of this matter. Confine them strictly in temples.

inthikab Zufer Monday, 04 January 2021 11:03 AM

So the drama continues.. Thank you Sri Lanka

Malij Monday, 04 January 2021 11:13 AM

The above report has been prepared by a Muslim journalist.

nihar Monday, 04 January 2021 11:42 AM

The most influential VS the most technically and scientifically accurate. Winners take all.

Bernard Monday, 04 January 2021 11:50 AM

Even a normal person would have understood the logic of COVID-19 dead body had no potential no spread the virus or pollute the environment unless he or she is re-incarnated for the society to exorcize.

Prisnor Monday, 04 January 2021 12:32 PM

Tell covid to frighten them before the clashes become worse as in the Mahara prison.

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Two expert committees clash over burial of Covid-19 victims

Comments - 16

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