FR filed on behalf of 20-day old infant died due to COVID-19 fixed for support | Daily News

FR filed on behalf of 20-day old infant died due to COVID-19 fixed for support

The Supreme Court today decided to hear a Fundamental Rights petition filed by parents of 20-day-old infant who died after being infected with COVID-19, before a fuller bench comprising five judges on March 29.
 

Justice A.H.M.D.Nawaz recused himself from hearing this petition, citing personal reasons. The Supreme Court bench comprised Justices Priyantha Jayawardena, L.T.B.Dehideniya, Yasantha Kodagoda and A.H.M.D.Nawaz.

The petitioners are seeking an order directing the health authorities to produce all medical records pertaining to the hospitalisation, death and disposal of the dead body of the infant child of the Petitioners.

They are also seeking an order to appoint a committee of experts to review the regulations and procedure pertaining to the disposal and cremation of bodies of persons deceased by the Covid-19 virus.

The petitioners (parents) Mohomed Farook Mohomed Fahim and Fathina Shafnaz have named the Director General of Health Services, the Director of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, the Health Minister, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Ministry Secretary and several others as respondents.

The petitioners stated that they were not provided with any documentary evidence to clarify that their new born child had tested positive for COVID-19.The petitioners alleged that the body of child cremated against parents wishes violating their Fundamental Rights. Counsel Pulasthi Rupasinghe with Hafeel Farisz and Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi appeared for the petitioners. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.