Exorbitant prices for COVID-19 coffins in Sri Lanka; protest the rackets behind COVID-19 funerals

Sri Lanka Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that the government would support the people who could not bear expenses for the cremation of COVID-19 deaths. She said that a family member of a deceased bears the cost for a coffin. 

Answering a question by Opposition MP Mujibar Rahuman regarding charging Rs. 58,000 at IDH hospital for a coffin, Minister Wanniarachchi said that the government would help the people who had no money to spend on the cremation via donors. 

However, Rs. 58,000 is an exorbitant charge for a simple funeral package in Sri Lanka and people suspect corruption related to COVID-19 cremations.

Meanwhile, spokesman of Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Pubudu Jayagoda demanded the government to use the COVID-19 Fund for the cremation of the dead bodies of the COVID-19 deceased. He further urged people to protest the rackets behind COVID-19 funerals.