GR govt. made wrong decision to cremate COVID dead, RW govt. to apologize

23 July 2024 03:08 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

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Colombo, July 22 (Daily Mirror) -The Gotabaya Rajapaksa government made the wrong decision to forcefully cremate the COVID dead, after recent research found that the virus had not spread in the surface water.

In a cabinet paper released today, it stated that in July 2021, a study was commenced by the Ministry of Water Supply with the assistance of the University of Jayawardenapura to identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aquatic environments in Colombo and Kandy including the river water, the water released from the hospitals, other quarantine places and other potential places where the waste water was discharged. It was revealed in this studies that there is no virus in the surface water.

A second study was also completed in March 2024 by the China-Sri Lanka joint research and demonstration center for water technology under the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development that investigated the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to water resources, including ground water, and it was confirmed that the faeces and urine were the primary sources of the transmission of the virus but not with safe burial.

Accordingly, the cabinet of ministers has approved the joint proposal presented by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitution Reforms, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development to plead an apology on behalf of the government to all the communities effected as a consequence of the compulsory cremation policy enacted in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Comments - 22

Rip Winkle Tuesday, 23 July 2024 03:48 PM

I hope the Muslim population can see this for what it really is. A last ditch, pre-election attempt to garner a few extra votes.

311 519

Zacky AMM Tuesday, 23 July 2024 04:21 PM

It is clear that Ranil govt do not agree with the policy of the GR government

344 72

Udi Dol Tuesday, 23 July 2024 05:34 PM

Not necessarily a vote base reconciliation, but a positive step towards transparent governance. At that particular time, there was fear of spreading the disease and the global scientists forum had its suspicions on the vaccine itself. Therefore, a decision had been made and implemented to secure the water bed and water resources of the Island. This is a decision made in the absence of scientific evidence to the contrary. The research findings came thereafter and the original decision was reversed. The outcry for religious reasons had been there, as the faith itself recommends a burial in normal circumstances. Hope everyone understand the government position then and the reversing of it later. The Government as a people's entity profoundly accepting the effect that the prevention of burials had on the families, Muslim community and the religious institutes and apologizing for making such a decision should be admired. Insurgencies 1971,1989 and Separatist war affairs! yet to come.

45 86

Surain Tuesday, 23 July 2024 05:41 PM

Ranilllllll what are you up to we not fools

35 65

Richard Tuesday, 23 July 2024 05:50 PM

Oh forget this. This is just a one wrong decision among 10000000000 wrong decisions taken by GR government. Received 69 votes, thrown out halfway and stranded in the sea. So, do you need anymore explanations?

98 218

Dee Wednesday, 24 July 2024 08:38 AM

Explain the fact that the foolish 69 are planning to vote in a bunch of subversives just because they want a ‘system change’. It is the 69 that needs changing, not the system!

1 4

Moh Tuesday, 23 July 2024 05:56 PM

They are talking of recent studies. But tell us just ONE and I mean ONE DAMNING study anywhere around the world where it stated that burial was harmful ????? UK, USA , allowed the dead to be buried whilst DOCTOR GOTA and his PAKKALI drs claimed otherwise. Apology now ..... My ar....

2 315

Mourner of dead father Tuesday, 23 July 2024 07:12 PM

In the Western world, there was no compulsion to cremate covid dead. The people in authority at that time in SL, would have known it. If not they come under the classification of modayas. Now pay compensation for all forceful cremation.The person or persons who insisted on cremation should be prosecuted in our court of law. Let see what the learned judges verdict.

4 124

Roisin Tuesday, 23 July 2024 08:47 PM

Spot on! Sri Lanks was the only country in the world with compulsory cremations. Based on fear and ignorance, only to hurt the minorities.

2 124

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 23 July 2024 09:07 PM

But they did not allow relatives to bury or they did not bury tge covid dead in general cemetries. They selected specifically prepared deep holes for mass burial by authorities.

111 145

Joshua Tuesday, 23 July 2024 08:44 PM

These fellows think that the Muslim foolish enough to believe these election gimmicks. A lost cause. Nothing is going to change by these utterances

192 106

Sinhale Tuesday, 23 July 2024 08:45 PM

Who cares, even printed money for folks….. and won the Gen Elections with ease.

1 8

Don Tuesday, 23 July 2024 09:28 PM

In 2009, after the war ended, Sri Lanka's total debt stood at 10b USD. In 2022 it has ballooned close to 100b USD. Who is responsible for this?

74 39

Citizen Wednesday, 24 July 2024 08:02 AM

Trying to create unnecessary unrest here. COVID was largely unknown that time. Even the most developed countries didn't have a clue. So cremating was the best option. President at that time had so many mistakes, but cremating was not one of them.

115 4

Terrence K Wednesday, 24 July 2024 08:30 AM

These communal minded politicians have not spared the dead who are legitimately entitled to bury the dead according to their Religion and now what purpose will it serve to apologize and to shed crocodile tears nearing an election as the damage has already been done and retribution will follow all of these pottu rogues who have not only robbed the public purse but deprived the dead of their religious right.

1 3

ceylonese Wednesday, 24 July 2024 08:33 AM

The more I studied science the more I believed in the Quranic verses. Further, GR and his supporters purposely cremated the Muslim covid deaths solely to hurt the Muslims. Forget about the religion, the karma doesn't need to know your address, it can find you at the right time.

2 7

MirakRajBanda Wednesday, 24 July 2024 09:13 AM

Just woke up from Coma!!!! What a level of shameful political strategy by the liberal Ranil. I thought of voting him but I never expected this level of dirty politics from him. Rajapakayas done enough damage to communities ranging from Easter attack, Covid cremation, Mullivakikal and corruption next level. Who's left with bit of clean records? Is Anura an option?

3 5

Shameful Wednesday, 24 July 2024 12:14 PM

Exactly. I felt the same. Had a little bit of respect left for RW. He merrily goes on destroying it. Shameless person. No wonder he never had a political carrier of repute. I would rather vote for Rajapakses than this fellow. Frankly, there's no one within SL who can lead the country out of the current rut.

0 1

Eper Wednesday, 24 July 2024 09:23 AM

Idi Dol-Brilliant explanation

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navratne willamune Wednesday, 24 July 2024 10:37 AM

at uncertain times without decions were taken. with hind sight looks an overeaction. there was no previous knowledge. as to how to handle.covid effected all whatever religion you are...

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European Wednesday, 24 July 2024 03:41 PM

There was previous knowledge!

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Dr Michael Fernando Saturday, 27 July 2024 10:56 PM

I do not think it was a bad decision at all. Little was known about covid and it turned out to be a disastrous condition throughout the world and cremation was therefore not an unreasonable decision and its effects have been positive in Sri Lanka. However, in the western world there are still cases of covid. Even President Biden was reported to have developed covid quite recently.

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