Sobitha Thera weighs in on cremation issue

5 Responses to Sobitha Thera weighs in on cremation issue

1. Indra says:

   November 11, 2020 at 3:02 pm

   As well as advice of SL health authorities, the decision could be better made by looking at how majority other non-Muslim countries over the world dealing with this issue. While SL have the right to determine it locally, allowing for cultural sensitivities and good will, such approach will be better and has a solid basis.

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2. Dr Michael Fernando says:

   November 11, 2020 at 5:46 pm

   Indra. Your comment is typically that of a politician !. “Thambige Thoppiya” !!! Of course. SL should have the right to determine on the cremation issue. I totally agree with the Ven. Sobitha Thera. This has nothing to do with politics or religion – it has to be determined by scientific facts by the medical authorities and the government should abide by the decision of the medical authorities and not make a political mis-judgement. Besides, SL has limited land mass and cremation should be considered the optimal method of disposal of dead bodies.

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   • Indra says:

     November 11, 2020 at 11:38 pm

     Unless you think Sri Lanka has the best science as well as the best medical brains in the world and medical research abilities, I don’t see any problem of looking at how the nations with better ability to understand the transmission of this virus from cadavers are dealing with those who have died from diseases who are Muslims. I don’t need you to remind me SL’s right to determine since I have already mentioned it in my post. But given that SL is made up of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslims mainly, unless it is ‘Majority Rules’ fits every body is the theme, given all the recent bad blood among the three major groups in the country, there is nothing wrong in looking at how the other countries with Muslim minority dealing with this issue, particularly because the Muslims in those countries appear to be content with whatever happening there. My posting does not contain anything to suggest that the SL authorities should let the Muslims to decide how the infected bodies should be dealt with, though every sensible person in power will do the utmost POSSIBLE UNDER THE PREVAILING SITUATION TO accommodate the wishes of family and and the wishes of the diseased person.
     Unless you are an apothecary who is using title Dr. or have a Ph.D in something other than medicine or biological sciences, you should be able to understand COVID-19 spreads through breathing and a dead body poses no threat unless other people are going to be touching the body or moving it.
     Given that the vast majority of the Medical Experts in SL are with Fellow of the Royal College of ………… degrees to claim their expertise, below are the guideline of the Royal College of Pathologists (www.rcpath.org) in the United Kingdom. I believe that those people are much better qualified and have the know how to decide what to do when one dies if COVID-19.
     * Body bags are not required in terms of COVID-19 risk, but may be required for other, practical
     reasons, such as maintaining dignity or preventing leakage affecting the mortuary environment.
     Local, standard decontamination and disinfection procedures must be followed.
     ** There is a risk posed to mortuary staff from close contact with visitors and a small risk to visitors
     from contact with the deceased. Local policy should be set that covers considerations such as
     complying with social distancing procedures, complying with cultural requirements, ensuring
     visitors are made aware that there is a risk, asking visitors to view through a window, asking
     visitors to wear PPE, etc. Any decisions made by staff and/or refusals by visitors to comply with
     requests should be documented in the deceased’s record.

3. Dr Michael Fernando says:

   November 13, 2020 at 4:25 pm

   Yes, I believe that SL has the best science and the best medical brains and medical research abilities – Yes,of course BEST FOR SRI LANKA. Nations with better ability to understand the transmission of the virus, as you put it, alas have RECORD NUMBERS of infected and deaths !!! SL has done quite well, so SL does not need to follow other nations. MAJORITY RULES, as you put it, is NOT the way how President Rajapaksa Government operates – possibly you are confused with the YAXAPALANA government of yester year, but note the current SL Government operates on ONE SL LAW FOR ALL. The Sinhala Buddhists, Sinhala Catholics and the Tamil Hindus have accepted the law without any political or religious issue.
   You should read the following articles on the subject of disposal of Covid-19 deceased for your ENLIGHTENMENT.
   1. Science behind bringing Covid-19 infected dead bodies – Lanka web of 11 Nov 2020
   2. Burial of corona victims. Sabry denies giving assurances to CTJ – Island 12 Nov 2020
   3Resumption of burial a high risk the country cannot afford to tale – MP Mazammil – Island 12 Nov 2020.
   You say, every sensible person in power will do the utmost possible under the prevailing situation to accommodate the wishes of family and diseased person – I entirely disagree. The wishes and the well being of LIVING PEOPLE take PRECEDENCE.
   A little advice. It will be better if you connect your organ between your ears to your mouth, before opening it. This is medical advice from a Medical Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.

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4. Dr Michael Fernando says:

   November 13, 2020 at 4:42 pm

   Correction:
   1. Science behind burying covid-19 infected dead bodies – Lanka web of 11 Nov 2020

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