The Sri Lankan government has issued a formal apology to communities affected by the mandatory cremation policy implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy, initially recommended by the Ministry of Health, required the cremation of individuals who died from the virus, which significantly impacted the Muslim community, among others.

In a move to rectify the situation, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to allow families the choice between burial and cremation. This decision follows two studies that confirmed the SARS-CoV-2 virus cannot be transmitted through safe burial.

The first study, conducted in 2021 by the Ministry of Water Supply and the University of Jayawardenapura, found no presence of the virus in surface water. A second study completed in March 2024 by the China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology reaffirmed these findings, indicating that transmission through burial is not a concern.

In addition to the apology, the government plans to introduce new legislation to formalize the option of burial or cremation according to family preferences and to consider donating bodies to medical faculties when appropriate.