By Venessa Anthony
Youth for Justice Sri Lanka is a coalition formed by youth-led organisations and youth activists to create a constructive discourse around matters that directly affect young people and their future. In order to share the youth perspective and to make a request to the Government, Youth of Justice Sri Lanka hosted a press conference yesterday (7) at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLF).
Authoritative voices from the scientific community have suggested that cremations are not mandatory in the case of Covid-19 deaths. The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL), as well as one of world’s leading pathologist and virologist Prof. Malik Peiris and MP Prof. Tissa Vitharana have publicly announced that based on available scientific evidence, cremation is not necessary.
It was also said that the recent report by the expert panel of virologists, microbiologists, and immunologists led by Prof. Jennifer Perera has recommended both cremation and burial of the deceased by adhering to safety precautions.
The panel consisted of members of different youth organisations that have been working with young people in Sri Lanka in a post-war context to bring communities together to heal and bring about peace – Nethmini Medawela, Suchith Abeywickreme, Benislos Thushan, Nabeela Iqbal, and Senel Wanniarachchi.
Wanniarachchi explained that they don’t usually comment on issues that are ongoing in the country, but this is an important issue. “There seems to be a consensus in the scientific community that both burials and cremations can be allowed within regulations. So, if there’s no scientific reason that the Government isn’t allowing burials, then on what basis are they mandating cremations?” he questioned.
In Sri Lanka, historically, most governments that have been in power have used religion to create suspicion and disharmony so they can use that in their favour, Wanniarachchi stated.
Commenting on why this event was organised, Medawela said that they want to call on the Government to revise its ongoing policy of mandatory cremations for Covid-19 deaths, which is causing tremendous hurt and distress to many Sri Lankans. This distress is experienced by the Muslim and Christian communities in Sri Lanka, with Muslims being more affected as their beliefs outright prohibit them from cremating their deceased. She also added that there has been a lot of research done on whether burying Covid-19-deceased bodies is harmful, and all evidence suggests otherwise.
Speaking at the event, Sisterhood Initiative Founder Nabeela Iqbal said: “The mandatory cremations taking place in Sri Lanka right now is affecting how Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters are laying their lives down.” She noted that she understands that even though other religions have the option to choose between cremations or burials, it goes against the fundamentals of their faith. She continued that when they request for burials, they are labelled as unreasonable, fussy, or angry. “The only emotion we’re actually feeling is an intense amount of pain,” she further expressed.
She shared that they organised an event a few months ago where the community came together and expressed how difficult it was, and then the very next day they heard about the 20-day-old baby who was cremated. The silent, peaceful protest against the forceful cremations of Covid-19 victims by tying white handkerchiefs to the entrance to the Borella Cemetery crematorium was also disrupted by the removal of these handkerchiefs that were tied in a direct curtailment of Freedom of Expression.
She added that it is important to understand that if any aspect of her religion was harming anyone, she would stay away from it, “but we’re at a very unique time right now, where all the evidence points to the fact that cremations are not required. 185 countries are allowing burials, so why can’t we?”
As much as our country needs strong leaders, we also need strong healers, and it’s time that Sri Lanka realises that forced cremations are a serious issue. “We cannot talk about human rights when the Covid-19-diseased bodies are being cremated against their personal beliefs, without any scientific evidence, and we urge the Government to reverse this mandatory cremations policy.”
As the generation that was brought up amidst a brutal civil war and suffered its consequences, the members of Youth for Justice Sri Lanka believe that if necessary steps aren’t taken to rectify the situation and allow the Muslim and Christian communities to perform their last rites in line with their religious beliefs, the youth will have to suffer the repurcussions of the shortsighted decisions of the state.
