Sri Lanka ends mandatory cremation of COVID-19 victims

The mandatory cremation of COVID-19 victims came to an end today with the burials of two COVID-19 related deaths in Oddamavadi, Batticaloa, an official from the Regional Health Department of Eastern province confirmed.

At least two places have been selected as burial grounds for the COVID-19 victims in Batticaloa district alone. Steps are underway to carry out the burial of nine more victims at the designated places.

Earlier Koralai Pattu West Pradeshiya Sabha in Oddamavadi informed the regional Director of health Services in Batticaloa that an area (Paper Down 210B) has been allocated to bury the COVID-19 victims and the Council is prepared to perform the final rights as specifically stated in the guidelines issued by Health Ministry.

Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabha in Ampara also followed suit informing the regional health authorities to take up the tasks of conducting final rights of COVID-19 victims in the region.

Meanwhile residents of Iranathivu islet in North have been protesting for three days urging the government to withdraw the decision to bury the COVID-19 victims on the island.