Controversial cremation of Muslim Covid-19 victims: Probe possible, says Health Minister

From: M. A. Kaleel, Kalmunai Corr.

Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Rauff Hakeem MP, asked Health Minister Keheliya Rumbukwella in Parliament yesterday if he would initiate at least a ministry level probe against the members of the Health Ministry Committee responsible for causing the Muslims who died of Covid-19 to be cremated. The Health Minister replied that a probe would be possible if he made a request to that effect. Hakeem thanked the Health Minister for his assurance.

“The President of the Judicial Medical Association of this country was a member of the committee, whose members should be held accountable. The unscientific decision taken by them contrary to expert opinion had caused a great injustice to the Muslim community and denied them the Islamic burial rites. The relatives of the Muslim Covid-19 victims who were forcibly buried were planning to file a case against the committee members, he added.