There is no connection whatsoever between ordering 1000 body bags and possible COVID-19 deaths. The body bags are not something new and not only used for COVID-19 related deaths. Several body bags were used during 2019 Easter Sunday suicide attack series to store dead bodies of foreigners etc, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.
According to Dr. Jasinghe the body bags are used during special events, during sudden disasters, etc to store bodies according to International standards/rules and regulations, Ordering 1000 body bags is only making use of a rare and valuable opportunity received from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Dr. Jasinghe pointed out that there is no possibility of large numbers of Sri Lankans dying from COVID-19 under the current system implemented to control it. The disease is in full control and several clusters had extinguished by now. The number of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka is very low when comparing with the other countries in the world. Therefore Sri Lanka will not face the unfortunate situation faced by other countries.
Dr. Jasinghe stressed that keeping stocks of all items including body bags, drugs, equipment etc by the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Health Ministry is a technical requirement. It is just a formal procedure. Sri Lanka received a golden opportunity to obtain body bags from the ICRC now and Sri Lanka made use of it.