September 01, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced plans to introduce new legislation that will allow individuals to choose between burial and cremation based on their personal preferences and religious beliefs.
Speaking at the “Puluwan Sri Lanka” victory rally in Kattankudy, the President addressed the challenges faced by the Muslim community during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the government-enforced mandatory cremation policy.
During his address, President Wickremesinghe expressed deep regret for the anguish caused to Muslim families who were unable to bury their deceased in accordance with Islamic practices.
He acknowledged the emotional toll this policy took on the community and assured that steps would be taken to prevent such situations in the future.
To address these concerns, the President revealed that a special committee would be established to investigate those responsible for the mandatory cremation policy.
Additionally, he promised that compensation would be provided to the families affected by the enforced cremations, as a gesture of reconciliation and to acknowledge their suffering.
The proposed legislation is expected to uphold the rights of all individuals to perform last rites according to their religious beliefs, marking a significant step towards greater inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity in the country.
