More citizens have joined in the silent protest against the Government policy of mandatory cremation of Covid 19 deaths. Photographs of those joining in by typing or displaying a white cloth to voice their dissent have been uploaded on social media. The hashtag #WhiteClothProtest is now trending on social media.
The silent protest was started by a group of citizens by tying white cloths at the Borella cemetery crematorium gates this week to voice their opposition against the government policy of mandatory cremation of persons who died due to Covid 19.
Those engaged in the protest said despite the lack of evidence provided by any credible medical doctor the government has willfully and with much ignorance to science, continued to restrict the burial of COVID-19 victims.
The move was sparked after a 20 day old infant who died of Covid was cremated at the crematorium against the wishes of his Muslim parents. Muslims in Sri Lanka have been opposing the policy claiming it goes against their religious beliefs while also pointing out that burying of Covid 19 deaths are carried out in other countries.
The government is now looking at possible methods to allow for safe burials of Covid 19 victims.