Thread by @alizmoulana

The despicable targeted discrimination of Muslims in #lka continues:

It came to my attention yesterday evening that a 54 year old Muslim woman from Weligama had passed away due to natural causes, & her burial according to Islamic rites was prevented by the Weligama Police. 1/14

I proceeded to obtain the contact details of the family, and the following ensued:

The deceased was, for the last 16 years, suffering from a complication of diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure, and was obtaining regular treatment for this at local hospitals. 2/14

She had visited the Matara Co-operative Hospital last week for regular checkup and as she had a cough and cold, the doctor had asked that she voluntarily admits herself to the Matara Hospital for observation. 3/14

Owing to the fact that it was a minor issue, she decided against it & remained at home. According to her husband, this was largely due to the unease spread by the media on being admitted to hospital due to the COVID-19 crisis and the added fear as they were Muslims. 4/14

Sadly, she passed away at 6:30 am yesterday.

While the arrangements were being prepared for the funeral in accordance to Islamic traditions by the family, the PHI of the area had visited the house, along with the MOH and the Grama Niladhari of the area. 5/14

The PHI had stated unequivocally that he has no objection to release the body to the family for final rites, as she had died from natural causes and had a detailed history of medical complications to prove it.

Moreover, there was NO SUSPICION whatsoever for COVID-19. 6/14

While they were present, suddenly a large contingent of armed police & private media personnel descended on the house, and had demanded that the body not be released to the family.

The media then attempted to obtain voice cuts from the PHIs and forcibly enter the house. 7/14

I learnt that the police, led by the Weligama HQI and the media, had been informed of the death by the former Chairman of the Weligama Urban Council, incidentally a member of the SLPP.

They were pressured by the same individual to prevent the final rites of the deceased. 8/14

The deceased was then moved out of the house by the police, and taken to the Matara hospital for autopsy.

This move was against the advice of the PHIs & local medical authorities, as they had ruled out any suspicion for COVID-19 in full. 9/14

I also reliably learnt that there were sinister moves underway to prevent the burial of the deceased at all costs and proceed with cremation, EVEN IF the tests were negative, similar to the cremation of the deceased Muslim last Thursday, whose tests were also negative. 10/14

I immediately reached out to @RehanJayawick, the Chairman of the Weligama Urban Council, and informed him of the situation. He swiftly liaised with the relevant PHIs and other officials last evening, and was able to provide clarity and a solution for the matter at hand. 11/14

Due to @RehanJayawick’s early & effective intervention, the body of the deceased, which was also proven to be NEGATIVE for COVID-19, was released this morning to the family for burial in accordance to Islamic rites, and globally accepted health and safety regulations. 12/14

Had this not been the case, the family would have had no choice but to endure witnessing their beloved being cremated against their wishes at the behest of satisfying an evil, bigoted set of motives, similar to what occurred a few days ago to the deceased from Modara. 13/14

While thanking @RehanJayawick sincerely for his singlehanded steadfastness & defending the fundamental liberties available to us all, I implore President @GotabayaR to bring an end to this vile, racist victimization of minorities in Sri Lanka, on the guise of fighting a pandemic.