Compassion and inclusivity

Monday, 1 March 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

After months of intense pressure the Government has finally reversed the mandatory cremation policy allowing for COVID-19 dead to be buried.

This is a huge relief to a significant part of Sri Lanka’s population. But now the issue has gotten caught in bureaucratic crosshairs as officials strive to find ways to implement this crucial policy.

Various reports on the issue have indicated that many logistical issues are yet to be decided, including finding a site for the burials. Unfortunately, this problem is likely to raise more concerns given how politicised this issue has become. Since the Government insisted on muddying the issue by deviating from science, it is likely to remain a trigger issue for some time.

However, it is essential that these outstanding issues are decided with compassion and inclusivity as core considerations. Sri Lanka has a high population density and misinformed people could struggle with the idea of having COVID-19 burials near to their places of residence.

However, the idea that an island could be considered is also problematic from the viewpoint of grieving relatives and the logistical implications this could cause. Transporting the dead across the country could lead to additional delays, hassles and expenses that close kin may have to contend with.

It is disappointing that so many months have slipped by but the Government has not made much headway in figuring these issues out. Many international organisations and foreign governments, as well as thousands of Sri Lanka’s own citizens have lobbied, to have the cremation policy reversed for the better part of a year.

The Government has flip flopped on the issue for months and even ignored an expert report that could have resolved the issue without having to undergo external pressure. Now the latest challenge will help define this Government’s attitude towards minority concerns.

Even with multiple vaccines coming online and thousands of people getting their first dose, experts have already made it clear that COVID-19 will be part of everyday life for quite a while to come. Some global studies have indicated that COVID-19 and its impact could last at least for two more years and while the number of deaths from the virus will decrease drastically with the scaling up of vaccinations, this issue will require sustainable policies from the Government.

Having taken such a damaging stance for so long the Government should also look at reducing inter-communal tensions and disinformation that has spread widely due to the standoff on cremation. This is not something that should be regarded lightly. The Government needs to care about minority issues more, not because the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) tells it to or because of a visiting dignitary, but because it is the duty of the State to uphold the rights of all Sri Lankans.

Unless and until the Government looks at a myriad of minority issues as problems it has a responsibility to resolve, and actively works to address them, more unfortunate policy decisions could be made in the future. The Government has made great efforts to present a unified Sri Lanka to the world but this can only be a reality if the necessary policy shifts are also made.