The National Shoora Council is alarmed to see the distrust and discontent expressed by a wide section of the general public over the forcible cremation of Covid-19 cadavers by the authorities against the scientific guidelines of WHO which is adopted by countries all over the world and the lack of political will at the highest levels to find a solution.
As of now it is well established that the Cremation only policy is unscientific,socially unacceptable and latent with wider ramifications that can affect the national fabric.
The Cremation Only Policy based on unscientific basis by a government imposing upon its citizens is a national issue having wide ramifications. It impinges on human rights,discrimination, contributes to social polarization,damages national harmony and exacerbates extremism and radicalization in society affecting the nation all round.
Compounding this, the state overtures to bury Sri Lankan Muslim COVID19 victims in Maldives internationalizes a local problem caused by a policy with lack of foresight. This tarnishes the image of the country among the comity of nations as a country that does not dignify their dead. This may cause new geopolitical issues by rendering citizens of one state of particular ethnicity/religious group ‘persona non grata’ upon death at a time the world is bestraddled with the issues of illegal migration due to internal conflicts. This may exacerbate it.
This policy is highly injurious to the nation having wide implications affecting other sectors of the society.Though this has direct impact on the Muslims and certain Christian denominations and others, this is more than a Muslim issue and the government’s lack of foresight is affecting the nation.
State institutions like health authorities, legal bodies and similar statutory authorities’ policies, edicts and regulations must maintain high quality of authenticity based on scientific, juristic and common-sense basis for the public to have confidence in the systems. This cremation only policy and the way it is implemented non-transparently, without due respect and recognition of rights, duties and human decency, would erode trust in state institutions thus setting way for anarchy.
The current state of affairs arising from the Cremation Only policy is damaging the national fabric and has wider ramifications on peace, coexistence, national security, territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the nation.
We seek the government to review this policy and restore public confidence in the systems through democracy and transparency.We call upon all patriotic Sri Lankans to join hands together and help the government and the nation to come out of this challenging situation protecting the national interest and democracy.
This challenging time is a challenge to all, the government and the people must work together with trust, responsibility and unity to chalk a better future to all.
The NSC having conveyed its concerns about the fast-deteriorating situation in the country due to the Cremation Only Policy, seek prudent policy review and national solidarity at this testing time.
We recognize and thank all our compatriots for standing together with the aggrieved parties to help restitute their rights and help make better policies for the betterment of our motherland.
Tariq Mahmud
President
National Shoora Council
27.12.2029
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