NWANY Wijesekara https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0391-6220,
KALC Kodithuwakku , Hasuri Pathirana, Lakpathi Wijesekara
Abstract:
Strict adherence to the funeral rites of loved ones is often not possible during infectious disease outbreaks due to heightened public health risks. The government of Sri Lanka initially allowed either cremation or burial of the dead bodies from COVID-19 in their clinical management guidelines. However, mandatory cremation was strictly implemented subsequently, which created concerns and worry among Muslims and Christians. The objective of this paper was to describe public opinion on the decision of mandatory cremation in Sri Lanka.
The content of the written responses to open-ended questions on COVID-19 dead body management from 773 persons received through an online trilingual public opinion survey was analyzed to identify the key narratives through an iterative process. Those who agreed with the decision of cremation saw it as a bold step by the government and argued that public health risk to the community must take precedence over individual preference for funeral rites and that the same law must be adhered to in a single country, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. Those who disagreed with the decision of mandatory cremation argued that it was beyond evidence or logic, harmful both to the health system and the environment, and violated dignity and human rights. It was seen as a tool for discrimination, marginalization, and retribution against ethnic and religious minorities, and to gain political mileage over the majority. This decision was also seen as a red flag of the systemic absence of good governance or sound risk communication strategies. Provoking ethnoreligious tensions could be a deadly move, especially during a pandemic. Governments must be mindful and respectful of and be sensitive to socio-cultural diversities, rights, and emotions in addition to evidence during the disposal of dead bodies of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19, Cremation, Burial, Ethnoreligious tensions