Eight more bodies of individuals who succumbed to COVID-19 have been buried at Ottamavadi area in Batticaloa District today (March 06), Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva said.

Accordingly, a total of 17 corpses infected with novel coronavirus have been buried since the policy on mandatory cremation was reversed last month.

Sri Lanka on Friday (March 05) began burials of COVID victims at Ottamavadi in Eastern Province.

The guidelines for burial of COVID-19 victims were issued by the Director-General of Health Services on Wednesday (March 03).

Drafting of guidelines was completed after the committee of experts appointed to examine methods for disposal of COVID victims met on February 27. 

In February, Sri Lanka reversed a controversial order which mandated cremation of bodies of all those who fall victim to COVID-19. 

The Extraordinary Gazette notification allowing the burial of COVID victims was published on February 25, amending the regulations made by the Minister of Health under Sections 2 and 3 of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance (Chapter 222).