’’Don’t insult the Prime Minister’’ - Hakeem tells Govt.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader Rauff Hakeem today asked the Government not to insult Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and to take a matured and considered decision on allowing for the burial of COVID-19 victims. 

He made the statement after State Minister of COVID Disease Control Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle contradicted PM Rajapaksa's comments in Parliament yesterday that the Government will allow for the burial of victims who die of COVID-19. State Minister Fernandopulle said the matter was still being studied by an "expert committee" and there had been no decision on it so far. 

"Yesterday, the Honourable Prime Minister made a categorical statement that the burials will be permitted. I have said that this is a better late than never, mature decision by a very mature politician. He understands the predicament of not only the Government but also the minorities and reconciliation in this country," Mr Hakeem noted.

He pointed out that the Government keeps repeatedly going back to its so-called "expert committee," which he claimed was made up of "pseudo scientists." This will not solve the problem, he asserted. 

The SLMC Leader noted that the Muslim community supporting both the Government and Opposition have been agitating for burials to be allowed. "Finally, the Honourable Prime Minister has given a solemn undertaking in this House. Who better than the Prime Minister to make a decision on behalf of the Government, and who are these so-called experts in the Health Ministry who are blocking this, unfortunately creating unnecessary social tension in this country?" 

He warned that the Government was dragging the entire country into an abyss by such conduct and pointed out that the issue has already been referred to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

Mr Hakeem implored the Government not to drag its feet on the matter and to quickly take a matured and considered decision. "And please don't insult the Prime Minister for God's sake!" he told the Government.