ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved taking necessary steps to pass a ‘Burial and Cremation Rights Bill’, the country’s Minister of Justice M U M Ali Sabry said.
“Today, the Cabinet of Ministers approved taking steps necessary to pass the ‘Burial and Cremation Rights Bill’, a proposal I strongly advocated for,” Sabry said on X (twitter).
“This crucial piece of legislation ensures the right of every individual to choose between burial and cremation, respecting personal and religious beliefs. Together, we will uphold dignity and justice for all.”
The Sri Lanka government’s stubborn insistence, under the presidency of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2020, 2021, on cremating Muslim and Christian victims of the Covid-19 virus, going against their religious believes, drew widespread condemnation from UN experts and Muslim countries.
Sabry, a Muslim himself and the Justice Minister at the time, faced harsh criticism from human rights defenders and from members of the Muslim community for what they claim was his silence in the face of the inhuman, unscientific decision. (Colombo/Sep2/2024)