Srilanka, March 30 -- Sri Lanka will mark March 31 as a solemn day of remembrance for the 278 persons including children who were forcibly cremated during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite their families' objections and religious beliefs. The policy, which disproportionately affected the Muslim community, sparked widespread national and international condemnation.

The first forced cremation took place on March 31, 2020, in Negombo, setting a distressing precedent that continued for months. Among the victims was a 29-day-old infant. The policy not only denied families their right to perform last rites according to their faith but also instilled fear, preventing some from seeking medical care.

The then Sri Lankan Government's decision to ma...