News
COVID-19 burials: Oddamavadi to the rescue; another site at Irakkamam
View(s):For many weeks, several bodies of COVID-19 victims have been kept in freezer drawers in morgues across the country, as the families insisted that their loved ones should not be cremated against their Islamic and Christian beliefs.
In Batticaloa, at least three COVID-19 victims’ bodies had been kept in the mortuary for weeks until the authorities on Friday found an alternate burial site in Oddamavadi and allowed the bodies to be buried. Nine COVID-19 victims were buried at the Oddamavadi site on Friday under strict health regulations introduced by the Health Ministry.
Displaced residents residing on the Iranaitivu islet took sea passage to reclaim their land.
Another seven bodies of COVID-19 victims from Kurunegala and Colombo were sent yesterday for burial at the Ottamavadi site.
Health Services Batticaloa Regional Director Dr N. Mayuran told the Sunday Times that at present the burial was allowed only at the Oddamavadi site and another site recommended by an Ampara local council was under consideration.
On Friday, the Koralai Pattu West Pradeshiya Sabha in Oddamavadi informed the Health Services Batticaloa Regional Director that an area had been identified to bury the COVID-19 victims and the pradeshiya sabha was prepared to facilitate the performance of the final rites in keeping with the Health Ministry guidelines.
The Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabha in Ampara also informed the regional health authorities that it would permit the burial of COVID-19 victims at an identified site. The council is awaiting approval from the health authorities.
Koralai Pattu West Divisional Secretary Vellathamby Thavarasa told the Sunday Times that a ten acre highland had been set aside by the council to be used as a cemetery and of this land, only two acres had been designated as a burial site for COVID-19 victims after the authorities visited the site and gave their final approval. The team which inspected the site include officials from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), the Central Environmental Authority, the relevant Pradeshiya Sabha and Security Forces regional chiefs.
“There are no civilian settlements near this burial site and the groundwater in this area can be found only at 50 feet depth,” Mr. Thavarasa said.
In its recommendation, the Health Services Batticaloa Regional Director noted that there were no water bodies in and around the site.
The area is to be fenced and demarcated by the local council as a reserved site and no construction will be allowed within the buffer zone, says the recommendation letter, stressing that trees in the designated area should be maintained as they are.
Meanwhile, Irakkamam Divisional Secretary M.M. Nazeer said a site visit was due by officials tomorrow ahead of final approval for the Irakkamam site.
“We have been told that a delegation consisting of officials from the NWSDB and the Department of Archaeology will inspect the site and convey its observations for final approval by the health authorities,” Mr Nazeer said, adding that he was confident of obtaining approval for the site.