The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you.

¶ 02 There is no dispute about the technical aspects in Hon. Rauff Hakeem’s Motion; we accept them. The key phrase is “the policy decision of that Government.” This was driven by political will. The Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government came to power riding the turmoil of the Easter Sunday attacks, exploiting anti-Muslim sentiment. After nominations for the 2020 General Election, this cremation issue was brought forward for political gain.

¶ 03 In March 2020, when COVID-19 emerged, the Director-General of Health Services appointed a clinical advisory expert committee to guide clinical management — physicians, pulmonologists, paediatricians, pathologists, intensivists, emergency physicians, a forensic pathologist, coordinated by an epidemiologist. On 27 March 2020, their third clinical guideline version included Chapter 7: “Autopsy Practice and Disposal of Dead Body,” stating “cremation or burial,” aligned with WHO’s “burial or cremation.”

¶ 04 However, on 1 April 2020, a circular was issued: “cremation only,” followed by a Gazette on 11 April. Later, on 26 May, a new expert committee was appointed comprising five forensic pathologists, a microbiologist, a virologist, a physician and epidemiologist Dr. Asitha Tissera as coordinator, and notably a soil scientist — a professor of natural resources — who had a hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 could contaminate groundwater. That hypothesis was repeatedly advanced and likely influenced the decision; politicians then used it for their ends.

¶ 05 A revised clinical guideline was issued on 3 July with 26 experts across disciplines. Yet the entrenched hypothesis and political needs drove decisions. Only Prof. Malik Peiris of Hong Kong University and I publicly opposed “cremation only” at that time; the Government ignored us. Many other technical missteps occurred: a politically appointed Task Force directed decisions; departments merely issued circulars. Border controls were mishandled; early patient discharge was glorified; lockdowns were misapplied beyond necessary incubation cycles.

¶ 06 Thus, these outcomes stemmed from political interference and needs. We should discuss further and I agree to inquiries. But, in this instance, these were consequences of political decisions. Thank you.