Sri Lanka Apologizes for Forced Cremation of Muslim Covid Victims
The Sri Lankan government apologized for enforcing cremations on Covid-19 victims, disregarding Islamic burial rites. They promised legal changes to respect the funeral customs of all communities. The Muslim community plans to sue those responsible and seek compensation for their distress.
The Sri Lankan government formally apologized to its Muslim minority for enforcing cremations on Covid-19 victims, ignoring WHO guidelines that supported safe burials according to Islamic rites.
This new policy assures that funeral practices of any community will not be violated in the future.
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka plans to sue two academics who influenced the government policy, demanding compensation.
Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa initially banned burials, citing expert advice, but reversed the policy following international pressure and an appeal from then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The enforced cremations caused significant distress within the Muslim community, especially to families forced to cremate their loved ones against their religious beliefs.
This new policy assures that funeral practices of any community will not be violated in the future.
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka plans to sue two academics who influenced the government policy, demanding compensation.
Former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa initially banned burials, citing expert advice, but reversed the policy following international pressure and an appeal from then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The enforced cremations caused significant distress within the Muslim community, especially to families forced to cremate their loved ones against their religious beliefs.
