Sri Lankan Cabinet unaware of the request made to the Maldives for the burial of Covid-19 victims

Sri Lankan cabinet is unaware of the request made to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih by Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to make burial arrangements of Sri Lankan Muslims who die of Covid-19.

Responding to a question by a journalist, cabinet spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated that the cabinet is unaware of the alleged request made to the Maldives by the Sri Lankan government to bury Muslim Covid-19 victims in the Maldives. He also stated that the matter was not discussed at the cabinet meetings. However, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry stated that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is considering President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s request to facilitate the burial of Sri Lankan Muslims who die of Covid-19 in the Maldives.

The issue has created several disputes among Maldivian religious scholars with prominent scholars like former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Former Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem voicing opposition against the issue.

Sheikh Ilyas Hussain, Dr. Iyaz, Sheikh Ali Zaid voiced support for the issue and stated that the Maldives should facilitate burials for Muslims in Sri Lanka. Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir has also supported their opinion.