The authorities in Ragama have begun cremating the bodies of 42 people who died from the coronavirus. The bodies were piled up at the Ragama Teaching Hospital morgue.

State Minister and Gampaha District Parliamentarian Nimal Lanza told Daily Mirror that most of the bodies were cremated by 6pm yesterday (Sunday).

The State Minister said that the remaining bodies will be cremated over the next few days.

He said that the relatives of some of the victims had informed the hospital that they were staying far away so will need a few days to come and claim the remains.

Lanza also said that another 40 bodies of people who had died for causes not related to Covid were also piled up at the Ragama Teaching Hospital morgue.

He said that among the bodies were that of homeless people and others not claimed by anyone.

The State Minister said that a court order will be sought today to dispose the 40 bodies.

He said that once all the bodies are disposed a proper system will be in place at the hospital to ensure there is no backlog.

The Ragama Teaching Hospital is among the hospitals badly affected as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Government has decided to supply additional beds to the hospital to meet the growing demand as more people seek treatment for the coronavirus. (EASWARAN RUTNAM)