• He had planned to set up a sea cucumber export village

By Kelum Bandara   

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda who protested the burial of Muslim Covid-19 victims in the Iranativu Island said yesterday he proposed alternate lands for the purpose during his telephone interactions with Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.  

The Minister said he discussed the matter with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in this regard over the phone. He said he pointed out to them that this island was not suitable to be used as a burial ground for Covid-19 victims because he had planned to set up a sea cucumber export village. The Minister said it was a project for the generation of US $ 26 million in terms of revenue.   The Minister said he was hopeful that a solution could be found at the next Cabinet meeting.