Twelve Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order staying the operation of gazette notification (No. 2170/8) issued to cremate the corpses of Muslim and Roman Catholics persons who died of COVID-19 were today re-fixed for support by Supreme Court.
Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice S. Thurairaja and Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya re-fixed the petitions to be taken up for support on November 26.
Fundamental rights petitions have been filed by Politicial Party Leaders and Social Activists, urge the government to respect religious beliefs of Muslims and Catholics.
Former Cabinet Minister and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen petitioned the Sri Lankan Supreme Court, challenging health authorities’ decision to cremate all coronavirus (COVID-19) victims and those suspected to have died from it without considering the race, religion or the cast.
Former MPs Seyed Ameer Ali (former ACMC MP), Abdullah Mohamed Mahroof (formre ACMC MP), and Hussein Ahamed Baila (former Deputy Minister), Former Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Parliamentarian Ali Zahir Moulana, Oshala Herath, Chirantha R. Anthony Amarasinghe are among the Petitioners.
The petitions cited Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Director General of Health Services and the Attorney General as respondents.
