According to the statement issued by Rohan Weliwita, Media
Secretary to the Prime Minister, the medical experts issued the warning at a
meeting convened at the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament to explore ways
and means of burying Covid-19 victims.
Issuing instructions to relevant authorities to choose a
suitable land in consultations with medical authorities in a dry zone with
ground water level extremely low, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa requested
Muslim lawmakers present to support the current health guidelines.
Prime Minister has emphasized that in matters concerning
health decisions couldn’t be made on the basis of religious sentiments.
Among those present were Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC,
Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi and Health Secretary retired Maj. Gen.
Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe.
Except Mohammed Muzammil of the National Freedom Front (NFF)
appointed on the SLPP National List, all other Muslim lawmakers are united in
their demand for burial of Muslim coronavirus victims.
A senior spokesperson for Samagi Jana Balavegaya told The
Island that the Premier’s Office invited only government members and those who
switched their allegiance to the SLPP government for their personal benefit.
The spokesman alleged that the government was making an
attempt to hoodwink the Muslim community. In spite of promises given by various
government representatives at different times, the Health Ministry stood firm
in its original decision to cremate all regardless of strong objections on
religious grounds.
Meanwhile, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that close
to 100,000 people were home quarantined as authorities battled the rampaging
corona epidemic. According to attorney-at-law Rohana, 95,825 persons belonging
to 35,114 families had been quarantined at their homes with the Gampaha
administrative district being the worst affected. DIG Rohana said that there
were 14,332 quarantined persons in the Gampaha district.
Warning that tough measures were required to bring the
situation under control, DIG Rohana said that those found to have violated
quarantine rules and regulations would be severely dealt with. The police
spokesman warned the public to follow health guidelines or face the
consequences. Courts could sentence violators up to three years RI.
The police headquarters said that nine police areas in
Colombo and 25 Grama Seva areas had been isolated pending further
investigations and examination of the situation.
SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman alleged that the government was
playing politics with an extremely sensitive issue. A sensible government would
have responded to our passionate pleas for respect and dignity for Muslim
victims of covid, he said.
Source : Island News
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