Tragedy best not forgotten

ON 31 March 2020, a dark chapter in Sri Lanka’s history began to unfold, as the Muslim community met with stigmatisation and prolonged struggle. This date marked the first forced cremation of a Muslim victim of COVID-19 in Negombo, Sri Lanka, igniting a painful series of events that would last for months and leave deep emotional scars on countless families.

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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lankan government implemented a controversial policy that made cremation mandatory for all COVID-19 victims regardless of their religious beliefs. This policy directly violated the Islamic practice of burial, which is considered a religious obligation. In Islam, cremation is strictly prohibited, and Muslims are required to follow specific funeral rites, including the washing, shrouding, and respectful burial of the body. The Government’s policy also affected Christians and members of other faiths who traditionally prefer burial over cremation, adding to the gravity of the injustice.

The Muslim community, devastated by this decision, persistently appealed to the government, engaging at all levels, including the President, the Ministry of Health, and Parliament, in a bid to halt the forced cremations. Despite these efforts, a faction within the Presidential Committee for COVID-19 remained steadfast, denying any flexibility on the matter. Their reasoning was rooted in racist and discriminatory ideologies rather than severe concern, and their stance resulted in deepening controversies.

The fear of being subjected to forced cremation also led many Muslims to avoid seeking medical treatment when they contracted COVID-19. Rather than risk hospitalisation and potential cremation, some chose to endure the illness silently at home, hoping they would not die. This “choice,” thus imposed, led to a greater number of people suffering in isolation, too afraid to seek help and, in some cases, tragically passing away without ever receiving proper care.