The UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Ms Hanaa Singer has written to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on the issue of cremation of Muslim Covid-19 victims. Copies of the letter has also been sent to the Foreign Minister, Health Minister and Justice Minister on the issue.

While reiterating the solidarity of the United Nations with the people of Sri Lanka in these challenging times marked by the COVID-19, the UN representative in Sri Lanka raised concerns that the current policy on burials as discriminatory

Assuring that the United Nations and its specialized agencies, funds and programs will continue providing support on the management of the epidemic. Ms. Singer reiterated the concerns of the United Nations with the existing Ministry of Health guidelines, which stipulate cremation as the only method for the disposal of bodies suspected of COVID-19 infection.

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