BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA The Government asserted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has given the Government complete discretion when it came to the final rites of an individual deceased due to Covid-19. Government Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella pointed out that it was the WHO that was the premier authority on global health-related matters and not the United Nations (UN). “Well, the UN says something but the UN is not the key authority on health. WHO is. The WHO has said that a specific country can make a decision on disposing of the bodies of Covid-19-infected patients depending on the conditions, environment, and other background situation. Basically, it’s a debate between the UN and WHO on this,” he said. He said that Sri Lankan health authorities made the final call. “As far as WHO and local arrangements are concerned, it all depends on the health sector of Sri Lanka.” Minister Rambukwella then noted that the recently gazetted guideline for disposing of the bodies of Covid-19-infected persons infringed upon the rites of the majority Sinhalese as well as minority groups. “You must also remember that the 74% majority of the population are Sinhalese and they too will have their rights curtailed as a result of the gazetted cremation guidelines.” The Minister of Health and Indigenous Medical Services last Saturday (11) issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification announcing the new regulations with regard to the cremation of the corpse of a person who has died of coronavirus. Four special UN Rapporteurs had written to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reconsider his Government’s decision to make it mandatory to cremate the body of a person who died of Covid-19. In the letter dated 8 April 2020, the Special Rapporteurs raised concerns over the lack of consideration and sensitivity provided in the new gazetted guidelines of the Ministry of Health. “Indeed, when cultural or religious sensitivities are involved, an inclusive and participatory dialogue or consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the civil society and different ethnic or religious communities, must be conducted before a decision is taken,” the Special Rapporteurs said. The four Special Rapporteurs who wrote to President Rajapaksa comprised the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundemental freedoms while countering terrorism.