News
Zuhair questions Muzammil’s stand on final rites for corona victims
Resumption of burials:
Former People’s Alliance lawmaker and President’s Counsel M.M. Zuhair, yesterday (12) questioned National Freedom Front (NFF) MP Mohammed Muzammil strong objections to allowing burial of Muslim coronavirus victims.
Zuhair, one-time Sri Lanka’s top envoy in Iran has sent us the following statement in response to yesterday’s lead story headlined ‘Resumption of burials a high risk the country cannot afford to take’ : In the context of the World Health Organisation (WHO) supporting the options of cremation or burial of Covid 19 victims; the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) commending the WHO guidelines as well as the government’s March 27th rescinded regulation permitting both cremations and burials; the Quarantine Ordinance of the country providing for both burials and cremations; the country’s top epidemiologist Dr Paba Palihawadana stating that there is no evidence that Covid 19 is spread by contaminating water; the GMOA and eminent medical professionals calling for a review of the current regulations in the context of WHO guidelines and the government said to be reviewing the present regulations in a manner applicable to all citizens, the Island’s lead story of today has come as a surprise.
The National Freedom Front (NFF) Member of Parliament Mohammed Muzammil is entitled to his views, but neither he nor I, are competent to be judgmental scientifically or medically to contest Dr. Paba Palihawadana, the GMOA or the other eminent professionals. Indeed the government and all communities ought to be scientifically guided by the medical experts on the matter. The experts will know best why the WHO guidelines provide for both options. They will know why nearly 200 countries world- wide have permitted and adopted burials of Covid 19 victims as an option. They know as to why over fifty countries and islands with high water tables have also adopted burials as an option.
If Covid 19 is thought to spread through contamination of water from the burial of afflicted dead bodies, then the question raised in a parliamentary debate in the country queried how millions of gallons of Covid 19 used daily at quarantine centres are allowed to freely enter water out-lets!
The government has been made aware that regulation 61A of 11th April 2020 making cremation as the only mode of disposing Covid 19 dead bodies is in violation of section 3(1)(i) of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and section 17(1)(C) of the Interpretation Ordinance. The regulation is also in violation of Code of Criminal Procedure Act (CCPA) empowering Magistrates to judicially deal with sudden deaths.
Medical personnel, armed forces and health workers rendering a yeoman service in the forefront of containing the spread of this deadly virus may be exposed not only to the risk of infection but also to actions of violating the law. It is to the credit of persons who feel wrongfully deprived of the option of burial that they have fully cooperated with the authorities in ensuring that Covid 19 is contained, without following up on other options.
There is a wide section of the people across all communities who are said to prefer burial of their loved ones, so long as the medically competent experts accept the WHO guidelines as worthy of adoption without getting trapped into mythological or ghostly fears. Such burials must be by the State subject to strict health guidelines as in the case of cremations.”
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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