(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that coroners deserve not only respect but more recognition for their exceptional humanitarian service. He expressed this view at the General Conference and election of office bearers of All Ceylon Coroners Association which was held on 12.08.2023 at Temple Yrees.
Coroners with more than twenty-five years of service were also felicitated at this meeting.
Speaking on this occasion the Prime Minister stated that-
Even the fields of birth and death registration related to the Ministry of Home Affairs, as they are parallel to the coroner’s service, it should be facilitated in order to serve the people of the country with mutual understanding.
You will understand that it is impossible to increase the provision in this time of economic crisis.
But policy wise I continue to support the move to give the Coroner’s Service more recognition and to increase certain allowances in addition to the allowances determined in the past.
I am holding discussions with the Minister of Justice, and the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs regarding this matter.
We decided to have a discussion on the measures that can be taken not only to establish a recognition on the service that you rendered, but also to instill new confidence in that service.
The moment a new life is born to the world, it is a cause of happiness for all.
Not only the family but also the friends and relatives are all happy and even the country is happy. Because children are the future of our country.
It should be understood that both happiness and sadness are parts of the impermanence of life.
The service performed by coroners during and after bereavement is unique. A country should not only understand and respect that humanitarian service but also give it more recognition.
Professor Ravindra Fernando of the University of Colombo delivered the keynote speech at the conference and the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Krishanthi Meegahapola, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Lakshmi Somatunga, President of the All Ceylon Coroners Association, Anura Herath, Secretary Mohammad Harshan and others attended the occasion.
