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SLMC urges govt. to release records of Muslims cremated during pandemic
SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem urged the government yesterday in Parliament to release the records of individuals, particularly Muslim patients, who had been cremated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hakeem criticised the government for allegedly concealing information about those victims, asserting that transparency was a prerequisite for public accountability.
“Do not hide behind the provisions and limits of the Right to Information Act (RTI). We request you to provide information of Muslim patients who died of COVID-19 and were cremated. This must be openly discussed,” Hakeem said, refering to the mandatory cremations as a stain on the country’s health authorities and held the previous government responsible for what he described as an injustice. Hakeem further emphasised that the newly elected government was expected to rectify the wrongs of the past administration.
Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa refuted claims of concealment, stressing that the issue revolves around medical ethics rather than withholding information. “This is not an issue of concealing information; it is about medical ethics. Under the RTI, divulging patient details is not permissible, and we have no right to withhold this information,” Dr. Jayatissa said.
Dr. Jayatissa pointed out that the Cabinet decisions made by the previous government had not been based on scientific evidence, a factor that led to the controversial policy of cremating COVID-19 victims, including Muslims, which had sparked widespread criticism.
Hakeem countered the Minister’s defence, asserting that releasing the names, addresses, and family details of those cremated was not an ethical issue. “How can that be an ethical issue? It is true this was a mistake of the previous government, but I don’t understand how it can be considered an ethical issue,” he said.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the families and communities affected by the decision should be compensated for the grave injustices they suffered due to the policy.
Hakeem also called for official inquiries into the actions of certain officials involved in the committee that made decisions regarding COVID-19 cremations. He pointed out that some of those individuals had since been promoted to higher positions “At least conduct a departmental inquiry. Those people must be penalised,” Hakeem urged.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake returned to the island yesterday(17) after successfully concluding a three-day official visit to India.
The President undertook this visit at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu. During the visit, he engaged in several bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian government ministers, and leading Indian business magnates.
The delegation accompanying the President included Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, as well as Labour Minister and Economic Development Deputy Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando.
[PMD]
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala announced in Parliament yesterday that the government expected to save Rs. 1,200 million annually in taxpayer funds by pruning down VIP security. The announcement was made following a review of security arrangements for former Presidents.
The Minister defended the government move in response to concerns raised by critics, stating that those opposing the decision were primarily motivated by personal interests, seeking to misuse public funds.
Minister Wijepala emphasised that the government remained committed to fiscal responsibility while maintaining necessary security measures.
As part of the cost-cutting initiative, the government will begin withdrawing Tri-forces personnel from the security details of former Presidents, starting next week. This move is expected to help reduce the burden on the public purse, without compromising the safety of the individuals concerned.
To further justify the changes, Minister Wijepala provided a detailed breakdown of security expenditure for former Presidents for the first 11 months of 2024, up to 15 December. The cumulative expenditure for this period amounted to Rs. 1,448 million.
The breakdown of security expenses is as follows: Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security costs totalled Rs. 710 million, with Rs. 328 million spent on Tri-forces, Rs. 327 million on police, and Rs. 55 million on the Presidential Secretariat. Maithripala Sirisena’s security expenses amounted to Rs. 207 million, with Rs. 6 million for Tri-forces, Rs. 185 million for the police, and Rs. 16 million for the Presidential Secretariat. Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s security costs were Rs. 307 million, with Rs. 258 million spent on Tri-forces, Rs. 39 million on police, and Rs. 10 million on the Presidential Secretariat. For Ranil Wickremesinghe, the total for three months was Rs. 82 million, broken down as Rs. 19 million for Tri-forces, Rs. 60 million for police, and Rs. 3 million for the Presidential Secretariat. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga incurred no costs for Tri-forces but spent Rs. 99 million on police and Rs. 12 million on the Presidential Secretariat, bringing her total to Rs. 110 million. Hema Premadasa, the widow of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, spent Rs. 33 million, with no costs for Tri-forces, Rs. 30 million for the police, and Rs. 3 million for the Presidential Secretariat.
SJB chickens out at eleventh hour
NPP MP (Polonnaruwa) Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne was elected Speaker unopposed yesterday in Parlament following Asoka Ranwala’s resignation over his questionable academic qualifications,
The SJB opted out of the contest. SJB MP Nalin Bandara, on Sunday, declared his party’s intention to contest for the post of Speaker.
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