Distress caused by forced cremation cannot be healed by paying compensation: Government

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

There is no rationale behind paying compensation to relatives of COVID victims who were subjected to forced cremation during the pandemic period, Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament yesterday.
“We cannot understand how the pain suffered by relatives of those who were subjected to forced cremation during the pandemic could be healed by merely paying compensation. We cannot understand how such an exercise could be rational. Paying compensation is an insult to the dead.” Leader of the House Ratnayake said in response to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Rauff Hakeem who wanted compensation paid to the relatives of COVID victims who were subjected to 
forced cremation.
Chief Government Whip and Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa who responded to a question raised by MP Rauff Hakeem earlier said 13,183 victims of COVID  have been subjected to forced cremations during the pandemic period.
However, he said details of those who were subjected to forced cremations cannot be divulged as per medical ethics. However, he said advice from the Attorney General will be sought in this regard.
Dr. Jayatissa said it was political leadership that has forced the relevant medical experts to accept cremation as a scientifically accepted norm. He said it was the political leadership that had prompted the committee of experts to accept cremation.
MP Hakeem said he is not aware of any medical ethics which prevent divulging of details pertaining to COVID victims.