PM Mahinda Rajapaksa consults lawmakers and health officials regarding burials (pic courtesy PM’s Office)

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Medical authorities had cautioned Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa that transmission of coronavirus from bodies was possible for 36 days, the PM’s Office said, yesterday (11).

According to the statement issued by Rohan Weliwita, Media Secretary to the Prime Minister, the medical experts issued the warning at a meeting convened at the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament to explore ways and means of burying Covid-19 victims.

Issuing instructions to relevant authorities to choose a suitable land in consultations with medical authorities in a dry zone with ground water level extremely low, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa requested Muslim lawmakers present to support the current health guidelines.

Prime Minister has emphasized that in matters concerning health decisions couldn’t be made on the basis of religious sentiments.

Among those present were Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi and Health Secretary retired Maj. Gen. Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe.

Except Mohammed Muzammil of the National Freedom Front (NFF) appointed on the SLPP National List, all other Muslim lawmakers are united in their demand for burial of Muslim coronavirus victims.

A senior spokesperson for Samagi Jana Balavegaya told The Island that the Premier’s Office invited only government members and those who switched their allegiance to the SLPP government for their personal benefit.

The spokesman alleged that the government was making an attempt to hoodwink the Muslim community. In spite of promises given by various government representatives at different times, the Health Ministry stood firm in its original decision to cremate all regardless of strong objections on religious grounds.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that close to 100,000 people were home quarantined as authorities battled the rampaging corona epidemic. According to attorney-at-law Rohana, 95,825 persons belonging to 35,114 families had been quarantined at their homes with the Gampaha administrative district being the worst affected. DIG Rohana said that there were 14,332 quarantined persons in the Gampaha district.

Warning that tough measures were required to bring the situation under control, DIG Rohana said that those found to have violated quarantine rules and regulations would be severely dealt with. The police spokesman warned the public to follow health guidelines or face the consequences. Courts could sentence violators up to three years RI.

The police headquarters said that nine police areas in Colombo and 25 Grama Seva areas had been isolated pending further investigations and examination of the situation.

SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman alleged that the government was playing politics with an extremely sensitive issue. A sensible government would have responded to our passionate pleas for respect and dignity for Muslim victims of covid, he said.

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