මියගිය පුද්ගලයින්ගේ සිරුරු ආදාහනය කිරීම පිළිබඳව ලෝක සෞඛ්‍ය සංවිධානයේ මාර්ගෝපදේශ අනුගමනය කරන ලෙස ඉල්ලා රාජ්‍ය නොවන සංවිධාන (NGO) 17 ක ක්‍රියාකාරීන් 164 දෙනෙක් ජනාධිපති ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂගෙන් ලිඛිත ඉල්ලීමක් සිදුකර ඇත.

එම ලිපියේ පිටපත් සෞඛ්‍ය අමාත්‍ය පවිත්‍රා වන්නිආරච්චි , සෞඛ්‍ය සේවා අධ්‍යක්ෂ ජෙනරාල් වෛද්‍ය අනිල් ජසිංහ, වසංගත රෝග විද්‍යා ඒකකයේ ප්‍රධානි වෛද්‍ය සුදත් සමරවීර, බෝවන රෝග රෝහලේ අධ්‍යක්ෂ වෛද්‍ය හසිතා අත්තනායක, ප්‍රධාන අධිකරණ වෛද්‍ය නිලධාරී වෛද්‍ය අජිත් තෙන්නකෝන්, ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ මානව හිමිකම් කොමිෂන් සභාවේ සභාපති ආචාර්ය දීපිකා උඩගම, ලෝක සෞඛ්‍ය සංවිධානයේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා නියෝජිත වෛද්‍ය රාෂියා පෙන්ඩ්සේ වෙත ද යොමු කර ඇත.

පසුගිය දා මුස්ලිම් මැති ඇමතිවරු පිරිසක් විසින් මරණයට පත්වන මුස්ලිම් ජාතිකයන්ගේ සිරුරු ආදාහනය නොකර භූමිදානය කරන ලෙස අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂගෙන් ද ඉල්ලීමක් සිදුකරන ලදි. නමුත් වෛරසය පැතිරීමේ අවදානම මත ජාති ආගම් බේදයක් නොමැතිව වෛරසය හේතුවෙන් මිය යන පුද්ගලයන්ගේ සිරුරු ආදාහනය කළ යුතු බවට සෞඛ්‍ය අංශ පෙන්වා දෙන ලදි.

වර්ෂාව ආරම්භ වීමත් සමගම මළ සිරුරු භූමදාන කිරීම ගැන සිතන්නවත් එපා යැයි ශ්‍රී ජයවර්ධනපුර විශ්වවිද්‍යාලයේ ව්‍යවහාරික විද්‍යා පිඨයේ මහාචාර්ය, භූගත ජලය පිළිබඳව විශේෂඥවරියක් වන මෙත්තිකා විතානගේ ඊයේ(4) අවධාරණය කර සිටියාය. මහාචාර්ය විතානගේ සඳහන් කර සිටින්නේ ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ භූගත ජලය ඉතා නොගැඹුරු මට්ටමක පවතින බැවින් මෙය සිදු නොකළ යුතු බවය.

මෙම ලිපියට අත්සන් තබා ඇත්තේ රණවිරුවන්ට විරුද්ධව, මහා සංඝරත්නයට විරුද්ධව සහ බෙදුම්වාදය වෙනුවෙන් පසුගිය කාලය පුරාවට පෙනී සිටි පිරිසක් ලෙස සමාජය හඳුනාගත් පිරිසකි. ස්වාධීන මැතිවරණ කොමිසමේ මහාචාර්ය රත්නජීවන් හූල්, ජවිපෙ ක්‍රියාකාඑිකයකු වන හරිනි අමරසේකර, ලාල් විජේනායක, නිමල්කා ප්‍රනාන්දු, කෞෂල්‍යා ප්‍රනාන්දු, පාක්‍යසෝති සර්වණමුත්තු, රාධිකා කුමාරස්වාමි ආදීන් ඒ අතර වෙයි.

මේ අතර සාජා දේශයේ පාලක සුල්තාන්වරයා එරට මුස්ලිම් කටයුතු දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට නියෝග කර ඇත්තේ කොරෝනා ආසාදනය වී මිය යන කිසිවෙකුගේ සිරුරු භූමදානය නොකරන ලෙසය.

එම සම්පූර්ණ ලිපිය මෙසේය.

Your Excellency,

Disposal of bodies of deceased persons who were infected with and suspected of being infected with COVID-19

We write to you as the person leading Sri Lanka’s effort to prevent and deal with COVID-19.

We, at the outset, would like to express our gratitude to the public officials in Sri Lanka for their contribution towards preventing and dealing with COVID-19, particularly the untiring and selfless service of health sector workers.

We write with regard to the disposal of bodies of persons who died due to being infected with, and those that died who are suspected of being infected with COVID-19. We were pleased that the Ministry of Health Provisional Clinical Practice Guidelines on COVID 19 Suspected and Confirmed Patients dated 27 March 2020 allowed for burial under certain conditions, and the family of the deceased to view the body at a designated place at the hospital. We were however concerned to learn that an individual of the Muslim faith who died due to COVID-19 was cremated on 30 March 2020 in contravention of the said Ministry of Health Guidelines and against the wishes of the family.

We note that the Ministry of Health Provisional Clinical Practice Guidelines on COVID 19 Suspected and Confirmed Patients were thereafter amended and the new document dated 31 March 2020 as well as the Ministry of Health (MOH) Circular no EPID/400/2019 n-cov issued on 1 April 2020, which reproduces the amended Guidelines, require that all COVID-19 victims be cremated. We also note contradictory media reports on 2 April 2020 that Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena has stated that the government will adhere to WHO Guidelines in disposing the bodies of those who have died as a result of COVID- 19, as well as the appointment of an expert committee to decide on appropriate and practices to deal with the bodies of those who die due to COVOD-19.

When we face such a grave public health crisis there is a need to ensure that the mental health of our population is also given due attention. In this regard, the disposal of bodies of persons who died during the pandemic requires particular attention. In the Muslim faith it is required that the dead be buried and cremation is not permitted. The possibility of compulsory cremation therefore is a matter of great distress to practicing Muslims. In these times of distress and uncertainty this is an added stressor that may adversely impact the mental health of large numbers in the population.

At present, the religious identity of certain victims has been highlighted due to which, in both mainstream and social media, we have seen outpourings of vitriol, and hate speech against Muslims for their actions or inactions in not preventing or causing the spread of COVID-19. In this context, it is important that the decisions made regarding burial are not perceived as punitive measures against such perceived irresponsibility by infected persons. We must also recognize that there is widespread anti Muslim sentiment prevailing in Sri Lanka and has been for the past several years. The negative stereotypes about Muslims were exacerbated by the terror attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019 carried out by an ISIS inspired group of Muslims. It is important to ensure that decisions regarding matters of public health do not result in the persecution or marginalization of the Muslim population. Within such a context, we note with concern that the revised MOH Guidelines dated 31 March 2020 and the aforementioned MOH Circular disregard Muslim religious sensibilities and requirements, and provide no succor to the already distressed.

In this regard, we urge you to consider the WHO Interim Guidance dated 24 March 2020 on Infection Prevention and Control for the Safe Management of a Dead Body in the Context of COVID-19. The Guidance states that ‘cadavers do not transmit disease’ and that ‘It is a common myth that persons who have died of a communicable disease should be cremated, but this is not true. Cremation is a matter of cultural choice and available resources’. The Guidance further advises the authorities to ‘manage each situation on a case-by-case basis, balancing the rights of the family, the need to investigate the cause of death, and the risks of exposure to infection’. Where disposal is concerned, the Guidance says that ‘People who have died from COVID-19 can be buried or cremated’. We recognize that the option of burial might not be available in certain instances due to legitimate public health requirements such as the depth of graves. To address these concerns, the state could identify suitable burial grounds that meet WHO standards in all districts and request the particular community religious authorities to prepare themselves to adhere to those standards.

In seeking to ensure the well-being of all Sri Lankans at this difficult time, we highlight the need to also ensure dignity in death. In addition to the issue of Muslim and perhaps Christian burials, we have witnessed that the media is permitted to cover the cremation of those who died from COVID-19 without any consideration of the wishes of the bereaved families. While preserving the health of our population must be paramount, it must not be at the cost of our common humanity and the dignity of our dead. WHO guidelines state that, ‘The dignity of the dead, their cultural and religious traditions, and their families should be respected and protected throughout’.

Moreover, to encourage persons to report possible exposure and seek medical advice and help, we highlight the need to not stigmatize patients or criminalize them in any way, which will only lead to persons hiding their symptoms and further infecting others. It is also important to ensure there is public information in all three languages regarding the behavior required under different circumstances as well as regarding the available medical care. The availability of such information will reassure the general population that being infected with COVID-19 is not a death sentence.

We therefore urge you to reconsider the MOH Circular of 1st April 2020 and amendments dated 31 March 2020 to the MOH Provisional Clinical Practice Guidelines, and instead follow WHO Guidance on the disposal of bodies. We also call upon your Excellency to address the country’s greatly distressed Muslims and put to rest their fears that they are somehow being punished, or that the country has little respect for their concerns.

THE LIST OF SIGNATORIES

Dr. Asha Abeysekere 
Hilmy Ahamed 
Silma Ahamed 
Azhar Ahamed 
Nihal Ahamed 
Prof. Arjuna Aluwihare
K. Aingkaran, Attorney-at-law
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Open University Of Sri Lanka
S.M. Aneefa
N. Abdul
Faaiz, Ameer , Attorney-at-law
Prof. Ameer Ali
Swathika Arulingam,  Attorney at law
Niranjala Arulanathy
Subajini Kisho Anton, Attorney at law
M.M. Baheej, Attorney-at-law
Capt. A.G.A. Barrie, SLE, P.Eng.
Jiffriya Barrie 
Faahima Cadar
Angelica Chandrasekeran
Anushya Coomaraswamy
Radhika Coomaraswamy
C.  Colombage
Danesh Cassie Chetty 
Shalomi Daniel
Amalini De Sayrah
Bishop Duleep de Chickera
Geetha de Chickera
Marisa De Silva
Shaanea Mendis de Silva, Artist
Dinesh Dogangoda, Attorney-at-law
Prabu Deepan
K.M.Deen, All Ceylon YMMA Conference
Dinushika Dissanayake
Asma Edris
S.C.C. Elankovan
Sarala Emmauel
Rev. Sister Nicola Emmanuel.
Mohamed Faslan, University of Colombo
Rashika Fazali
Ilma Fareez
Latheef Farook, Journalist
Rizvi Farouk
Khalid Farouk
Ian Ferdinands
Dr. Kaushalya Fernando 
Dr. Nimalka Fernando, Attorney-at-law
Ruki Fernando
Tamara Fernando 
Rev. Reid Shelton Fernando,  Retired Priest, Colombo
Angela Forman
Bhavani Fonseka
Manel Fonseka
Mushtaq Fuad
Aneesa Firthous
C. Ranitha Gnanarajah Attorney -at law
Shyamala Gomez
Dr. Mario Gomez
Gehan Gunetilleke 
Prof. Camena Guneratna
Harsha Gunasena
Anberiya Hanifa, Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum
Dr. Farzana Haniffa, University Of Colombo
Sa’diya Hassen
Adel Hashim 
Prof. Rajan Hoole 
Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
Prof. Qadri Ismail
Zumaiya Ifthikar
Fathima Nabeela Iqbal
Ashraff Jainudeen
U.L. Jaufer, Attorney-at-law
Dr. Sivagnanam Jeyasankar
Sr. Victorine James, Holy Cross School of health Sciences Jaffna
Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar, University Of Jaffna
Niyanthini Kadirgamar
Sakuntala Kadirgamar
Dr. Ramya Kumar
Chulani Kodikara
Mohamed Kubais 
Mahaluxmy Kurushanthan 
Annie Kurian
Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala
Shaheera Lafeer
Jeremy Liyanage, Bridging Lanka Ltd.
Ismath Majeed. 
Jensila Majeed
Justice. Dr. Saleem Marsoof
Izath Manal
Mohamed Mahuruf
M. Meera Saibu
Dr. Farah Mihlar 
Juwairia Mohideen
Buhari Mohamed
Nawaz Mohamed, Former Working Director, SLRC
F. Muflik
F. Z. Nasrullah
Nagulan Nesiah
Devanesan Nesiah, Retired Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Environment and Women’s Affairs
100.Prof. Vasuki Nesiah, New York University
M.N.M. Nowras
Prof. Arjuna Parakrama, University Of Peradeniya
Nicola Perera, University Of Colombo.
Dylan Perera
Anna Peter
Dr. Jehan Perera, National Peace Council 
Srinath Perera, Attorney-at-aw, United Socialist Party
Rev. Dr. Jayasiri Peiris, Church of Ceylon
Fathima Rameeza
Nalini Ratnaraja
K.S. Ratnavel, Attorney-at-law
Dr. Ramola Rasool, University Of Kelaniya
Prof. Harshana Rambukwella, Open University Of Sri Lanka 
A.R.A. Ramees
Y.R. Ranjan
Sheila Richards
Ahamed Rislan
Yasmin Raji
R. Rasmin
Peter Rezel – Chartered Accountant
Amna Rifky
Thyagi Ruwanpathirana
Afrah Sidiqi
Vanie Simon
Prof. Sivamohan Sumathy, University Of Peradeniya
Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe, University Of Colombo. 
Sampath Samarakoon
Rev. Selvanathan Selvan
M.N Shamla
Shaheed Sangani
Ambika Satkunanathan 
S.Sivathasan
Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu 
Dr. Seyed Sheriffdeen
Sharmila Seyyid, Social Worker
Revd. S .D .P. Selvan
N.M. Saroor
Joanne Senn
Shreen Abdul Saroor 
Krishanthi Tharmaraj
Mahendran Thiruvarangan, Lecturer (Probationary), University of Jaffna
Dr. Minna Thaheer,  Senior Researcher, Centre for Poverty Analysis
Azkha Thariqshad
Fathima Nusra Thameem
Mathuri Thamilmaran – Attorney at Law
Visakha Tillekeratne, Chief Commissioner, Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association
Hafsa Uvais.
Mass Usuf, Attorney-at-law
S. Vinothan
Kamala Vasuki 
Emil van der Poorten
Stella Victor
Piyumi Wattuhewa
Shamara Wettimuny 
Lal Wijenayake, Attorney-at-law
M. Wahid
Varuni Weerasinghe
Annouchka Wijesinghe
Upul Kumara Wickramasinghe – Durham University
Riza Yahiya, Architect
Deshamanya Godfrey Yogarajah
Fr. V. Yogeswaran
S.A.C.M. Zuhyle

Organisations:

Sisterhood Initiatives
National Peace Council
Northern Muslim Civil Society
INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre
Rural Development Foundation
International Institute for Research, Information and Action (IIRIA)
Mannar Women’s Development Center 
Women’s Action Network 
Muslim Women Development Trust
International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES)
Centre for Policy Alternative
Human Elevation Organization  
Islamic Women’s Association for Research and Empowerment 
Centre for Justice and Change, Trincomalee
Centre for Human Rights and Development
Eastern Social Development  Foundation
Law and Human Rights Center, Jaffna.