Iranativu residents stage protest against burial of COVID-19 victims on the islet

Residents of Iranativu island staged a protest today vowing they will never allow the island to become the burial ground of COVID-19 victims as the government declared yesterday.

"The soil is rich and the inland area is covered with trees and suitable place for cultivation and cattle breeding. Making the island village as the burial ground of the deceased of COVID-19 would totally disrupt our lives," a petition handed over to the Human Rights Commission in Jaffna on behalf of the community said.

The locals urged the government to withdraw the unwise decision while stressing that the government should give due respect and ensure the burial rights of Muslims and other communities in suitable places.

The residents, who resettled only three years ago alleged that this decision would cause unnecessary problems within their community and might pose health concerns since they depend on underground water for their daily survival.

At least 165 fishing families are living on the island without basic facilities as authorities yet to provide state assistance for resettlement. The fisherfolk families have been demanding authorities to construct a jetty on the island to access sea and organize a ferry service for the connectivity with the mainland

Earlier, the Cabinet spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that burial of COVID-19 victims will be allowed only in Iranativu Island off Mannar.

He said that the required guidelines will be issued shortly while stressing that the government will bear the cost of transporting the body.(Pix by N.Lohathayalan)