Pavithra tells P’ment ‘cremation only’ rule will continue for now

• Says Govt. awaiting more recommendations from “main” committee of experts
• Stresses decisions on the thorny issue cannot be made based on political, religious or personal reasons
• Govt. is sticking with recommendations of “main” committee headed by Dr. Channa Perera
• Report of subcommittee consisting of virologists has been sent to the “main” committee
• National Congress MP Athaullah says Minister has failed to present April gazette on cremations to House for approval so far

By Chandani Kirinde

Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi

Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi yesterday told Parliament the Government would continue with its ‘cremation only’ rule for COVID-19 victims, but is awaiting further recommendations from the

main committee appointed by her that is perusing a report compiled by another group of virologists, who say both burial and cremation are acceptable forms of disposing bodies of those who succumb to the coronavirus.

Replying to a question raised by MP Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC) Jaffna District MP Gajen Ponnambalam on what basis the Government had decided to allow only cremations, the Minister said she is going by the recommendations of the main committee of experts appointed by her, which consists of Judicial Medical Officers (JMO) , microbiologists and virologists.

“The expert committee has given clear recommendations that only cremation can be allowed for COVID-19 victims. We cannot take political decisions in this regard and we cannot change this decision based on religious or personal reasons,” she said.

The main committee, the Minister informed Parliament, is headed by Dr. Channa Perera (Consultant – JMO), while its other members are Dr. Ananda Wijewickreme (Consultant – Physician), Dr. Rohan Ruwanpura (Consultant – JMO), Dr. P.B. Dasanayake (Consultant – JMO), Dr. Shirani Chandrasiri (Consultant – Microbiologist), Dr. Maalika Karunaratne (Consultant – Microbiologist), Dr. Dulmini Kumarsinghe (Consultant – Virologist), Dr. Prabath Senasinghe (Consultant – JMO), Dr. Sriyantha Amararatne (JMO), Prof. Meththika Vithanage (Prof. in Natural Resources) and Dr. Hasitha Tissera (Consultant Epidemiologist).

When asked about the expert committee that had been appointed on 24 December headed by Prof. Jennifer Perera, the Minister said there is only one main committee and this was a sub-committee, the report of which has been referred to the main committee.

“They (the sub-committee) are a group of virologists who met State Minister Sudharshini Fernndopulle. Later I called them for meeting, and they handed over a report to me which I sent to the main committee. I am awaiting their response to that report,” Wanniarachchi said.

Meanwhile, National Congress (NC) Digamadulla District MP A.L.M. Athaullah asked why the Minister has not yet submitted the gazette issued in April making cremations mandatory to Parliament for approval.

“The Minister has to submit this gazette to the House, but she has failed to do so,” he said.