His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa,

Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,

Presidential Secretariat,

Colombo- 01.

Dear Sir,

PLEADING TO BURY THE BODIES OF COVID-19 MUSLIM VICTIMS IN SRI LANKA

The very first, we take a moment to appreciate the stringent measures taken by governmental authorities to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka and we thank the security forces, health workers and police for their tireless efforts. Fabulous work, indeed, our country’s control mechanism and recovery rate have been world-class and superior to some of the developed countries.

In this juncture, we would like to draw your kind attention that, as of today, sadly, Muslims in Sri Lanka are being forced to cremate the bodies of Muslims who had died or are suspected to have died of COVID-19. Despite the authorities’ justifications, you may aware that Islamic tradition requires dead bodies to be buried.

Recently, The World Health Organization has emphasized that burial is an effective and appropriate mean to deal with victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. But unfortunately, Sri Lanka insists on the cremation only. The fact is, no other country has banned burials other than my country. This situation is very unpleasant and disturbing.

The sanctity of a dead body and the importance of performing religious burial is an integral part of religious practice for Muslims, worldwide. Meaning, enforcing cremation upon the loved ones of Sri Lanka Muslim Community would cause deep shock, pain and mental trauma, more importantly to their immediate families, who themselves may be in self-isolation due to pandemic.

We are passing through a difficult time, in this juncture, as Sri Lankans, we expect the authorities should be bringing the communities together by promoting the citizens’ religious and socio-cultural values when dealing with the death of loved-ones and not deepening the divisions among them.

Thus, with mixed reaction, we would like to make a humble request to enable Sri Lankan Muslim to bid a final farewell to their loved-ones according to their religious and socio-cultural values, specifically which is guaranteed in the constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and also permissible under international guidelines.

We trust you would consider and treat our request with a priority.

Stay blessed, Sincerely,

Sri Lankan Muslims Expatriates Forum