Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has said that the decision taken by the government to bury the bodies of the people who died due to COVID-19 viral disease in the island of Iranathivu has been withdrawn.
Mr. Devananda said that he had requested the President and the Prime Minister to stop the decision to bury the corona victims on Iranathivu Island in Gulf of Mannar off the Kilinochchi district.
Accordingly, the burial of infected bodies in Iranathivu Island was stopped and instead the land in the Ottamawadi Sudupaththinasenai area in Batticaloa was selected for the burials, said Mr. Devananda.
About 165 families have been settled in the island and the residents protested the government’s initial plan to bury the bodies in their islet.
He said this in a press release thanking the President and the Prime Minister for suspending the decision to bury Corona victims on the small islet.
The Minister further stated that Iranathivu Island can benefit economically and it is the duty of the government to protect such islands.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
