(UTV | COLOMBO) – The United States (US) stated that it is disappointed to see that the Government and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa are backing away from ending discriminatory cremation policy of COVID-19 victims.
Disappointed to see that the Government and PM are backing away from ending discriminatory cremation policy. People, including loved ones recently passed, deserve more respect for their rights from a democratic government.
— Ambassador Teplitz (@USAmbSLM) February 18, 2021
“Disappointed to see that the Government and Prime Minister are backing away from ending discriminatory cremation policy. People, including loved ones recently passed, deserve more respect for their rights from a democratic Government,” US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz tweeted in her official Twitter handle.
Thanking H.E. the US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz for her continued support and concern towards the #ForcedCremation issue in Sri Lanka!#COVID19 #COVID19SL #Lka https://t.co/ey9235Evlb
— Rishad Bathiudeen (@rbathiudeen) February 18, 2021
Meanwhile, the Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen expressed his gratitude to the US Ambassador for her continued support and concern towards the forced cremation issue in Sri Lanka.
The Premier earlier announced that the permission will be granted for the burial of the remains of COVID-19 victims in Sri Lanka, which is practiced in other countries.
Sri Lanka’s controversial policy to cremate the bodies of COVID-victims has outraged Muslims, for whom cremation is forbidden. Experts pointed out that the decision is not based on scientific evidence and targets minorities.
Opposition to the policy has grown in recent weeks and sparked protests around the country and around the world.
The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) on 01 January 2021, stated that the COVID-19 cannot be transmitted by dead bodies, while the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka stated on 31 December that there is “No solid evidence” supporting the regulation.
Furthermore, the Expert Panel appointed by the Health Ministry of Sri Lanka recommended on 29 December that disposal of bodies could include burial as well as cremation, and the Buddhist, Christian, and Hindu Religious Leaders wrote in a joint-letter on 26 December that religious rights are protected by the Sri Lankan Constitution.
In November the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) along with the Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), World Health Organisation (WHO), and numerous other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) around the world condemned the policy as a violation of religious rights guaranteed by international law.
In April, 4 Special Rapporteurs attached to the United Nations (UN) appealed to the Sri Lankan Government, stating that the regulation violated the right to freedom of religion, and that the Government should combat attempts to instigate religious hatred and violence.
Several Fundamental Rights (FR) Petitions were filed against the regulation at the Supreme Court, which dismissed the cases without explanation.
Sri Lanka’s controversial policy to cremate the bodies of COVID-victims was also expected to be raised at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva during its forthcoming session.
DW
