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SLMC urges govt. to release records of Muslims cremated during pandemic

Published

2 years ago

2024/12/18

Hakeem

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.

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UPDATE: Flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills more than 100, with hundreds of tourists missing

Published

2 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

More than 100 people have been killed in Nepal and Tibet, and hundreds of tourists are missing, after a massive flash flood and mudslide

The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekker.

Dozens of police officers and army prtxonnel are also missing, as well as power workers. My family was swept away in front of me, one woman tells us – she and her son survived by climbing to a rooftop

In Tibet, Chinese state media report three dead and 265 missing, CCTV from Tibet shows a wall of water and mud hitting buildings at a border crossing.

Authorities initially thought an earthquake may have triggered a landslide – the US Geological Survey now says the sesimic energy was instead generated by a landslide.

(BBC)

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Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

8 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

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We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

9 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.