News
Decisions on disposal of bodies of COVID-19 victims should be based on scientific evidence – JVP
JVP propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath addressing a press conference held at the JVP Headquarters in Pelawatte on Thursday
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP, on Thursday, urged the government to solve the issue of cremating the bodies of Muslim victims of COVID-19 pandemic without further delay to prevent the issue developing into a crisis.
Addressing the media at the JVP Headquarters in Pelawatte, party propaganda Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said that the government should take a decision on the burial of COVID-19 victims on the basis of scientific facts. “The government sticks to its policy of cremating the bodies of Muslim COVID-19 victims despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) approving burials. The Muslim community’s coronavirus victims are being forcefully cremated against their religious belief. The process of cremation is forbidden in Islam, which requires members of the faiths to be buried. This is an extremely sensitive issue.”
Herath said that cremations were consistent with the Buddhist and Hindu traditions, but the Islamic traditions required burial of the dead. “In April, the government made cremations compulsory for all victims of the pandemic. That decision resulted in criticism from rights groups and international organizations. It is reported that this is the only country in the world to have forced cremations during the pandemic, ignoring advice that permits burials from the WHO.”
“World renowned Sri Lankan pathologist and virologist Dr Malik Peiris has stated clearly that there is no scientific basis for the claim that the coronavirus spreads if the COVID-19 victims are buried. Former epidemiologist of the Health Ministry and WHO Regional Advisor on vaccine-preventable diseases in the South East Asia region Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, too, has confirmed this. Former Deputy Director of Health Services also holds the same view. Therefore, the government should change its unreasonable stance and look into the scientific facts and make a decision quickly. Now, the issue has got politicised.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
Latest News
Heat index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 3.30 p.m. on 11 April 2026, valid for 12 April 2026
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Eastern provinces and Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note: In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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