Connect with us

News

Forced cremations: Jeevan apologises to Muslim community

Published

on

Jeevan Thondaman

Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman on Tuesday (02) apologised to the Muslim community for the mandatory cremation policy enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic under the previous Government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The unexpected apology came during an Ifthar gathering hosted by Minister Thondaman in Hatton. The Minister apologised to the Muslims and acknowledged that the policy had caused distress to them. He had assumed duties in January last year, but as the incumbent Minister responsible for water supply, he had to take responsibility what had been done by his predecessor.

The forced cremation policy under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had been driven by concerns that burial of COVID-19 victims could contaminate water supplies and advised so by relevant doctors at the time. That was despite several scientific opinions, including that of the World Health Organisation, refuting that claim.

The previous government’s position had now been refuted by new scientific findings of a study led by experts from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and an update by the Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for Water Technology (JRDC) at the University of Peradeniya, a centre under the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development. The update to the original study was done on the instructions of Minister Thondaman after becoming the subject Minister last year.

The first study, led by experts from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and financially supported by the Ministry of Water Supply, sought to ascertain the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in surface and wastewater across various locations in Sri Lanka. Conducted between August and December 2021, the research aimed to assess the risk of viral transmission through water, a concern that originally motivated the cremation mandate.

A comprehensive review study by the JRDC analysed the effects of COVID-19-infected bodies’ burial on groundwater contamination. Published this year (2024), the review has concluded there was no risk to groundwater pollution from properly conducted burials during the pandemic. The study has emphasised that proper burial procedures, including deep burial in sealed body bags, effectively mitigated any risk of environmental contamination.

The study also highlighted that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in various water sources did not stem from burial practices but rather from the faeces and urine of infected individuals, further debunking the initial assumptions that underpinned the cremation policy.

Minister Thondaman said that he would soon be submitting a Cabinet paper, together with the findings of the study, to seek a formal apology from the government for the harm and hurt caused, especially to the Muslim community, from the forced cremation policy.



News

Coconut auction volumes down

Published

on

By Nisheni Atapattu

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s coconut auction volumes dropped to 21,569 nuts, with 89,687 nuts offered, recording an all time low at this week’s auction, Coconut Development Authority data showed.

The auction was conducted at a fixed price of 140,000 rupees for a thousand nuts for the fourth straight week on February 13.

It is uncertain why all the nuts offered were not bought at the auction.

Last week 177,362 nuts were offered, down and 173,007 nuts were sold.

Volumes offered at the auction have moved down after a fixed price of 140 per nut was agreed.

Wholesale prices of a nut were listed at 200-210 rupees for a large nut and 180-190 rupees for a small nut in the local market on January 13.

Coconut oil local wholesale price was 830,000 to 850,000.00 rupees per metric ton.

Coconut shells were 50,000 to 51,000 rupees per metric ton.

Coconut shell charcoal was 178,000 per metric ton.

Continue Reading

News

New Catholic Bishop of Mannar to be ordained on Feb 22

Published

on

Bishop Anthonipillai

by Norman Palihawadane

Episcopal Ordination of Anthonipillai Gananpragasam as the Bishop of Mannar is scheduled to be held next Saturday (22) at 9.30 am at Our Lady of Madhu shrine.

Bishop Anthonipillai was born on July 12, 1965, in Adampan in Mannar diocese and studied philosophy and theology at the Saint Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Jaffna.

He was ordained a priest on April 7, 1994, for the clergy of Mannar.

After ordination, he held the roles of parish vicar of Murunkan (1994-1996), secretary to the bishop (1996-1999), parish priest of Cheddikulam (1999-2003), parish priest of Pallimunai (2003-2006), parish priest of Vankalai (2006-2009), rector of the diocesan minor seminary (2014-2018), and parish priest of St. Sebastian Cathedral (2018-2021) and Pesalai (2021-2023).

After obtaining a licentiate in religious education from Fordham University in New York (2010-2014), he attended a course in youth pastoral care in India (2022). Since 2023, he has served as administrator of the Our Lady of Madhu National Shrine in Mannar.

Continue Reading

News

SJB’s primary aim is to unite the right in SL: Marikkar

Published

on

SM Marikkar

SJB Colombo District MP SM Marikkar says that the primary aim of his party’s discussions with the UNP is to create a united right-wing political platform, bringing together all right-wing forces in the country.

Addressing the media at the SJB headquarters in Colombo last Thursday, Marikkar said that the focus is not simply on forming an alliance, but rather on uniting right-wing ideologies. He noted that divisions within the right-wing political camps have led to approximately 2.5 million people abstaining from voting.

He said that while the SJB is committed to uniting the right-wing, they will not align with corrupt individuals. Even if the SJB faces defeat in elections, Marikkar assured that the party consists of only clean, non-corrupt politicians.

He said that the NPP came to power by capitalizing on public discontent and promising to arrest all corrupt individuals and fraudsters within 24 hours.

However, during the 2015 Yahapalana government, significant relief measures were implemented within just a month, including reduced fuel prices, allowances for pregnant mothers, salary increases for government employees, and lower gas cylinder prices. Genuine promises should result in immediate action upon gaining power, yet the current government is failing to govern effectively and is merely offering excuses.

“Moreover, despite securing a two-thirds majority, the current government is displaying arrogance. Both Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa once held two-thirds majorities, only to be defeated in subsequent elections. While a two-thirds majority can pave the way for long-term success if used wisely, its misuse can lead to inevitable downfall. The people placed great trust in this government, granting it a massive mandate. However, the government is now deceiving the public. We urge the people to remember the promises made during the election and the extent of the mandate they gave, and to vote against this government in the upcoming local government elections,” Marikkar said.

Continue Reading

Trending