The body of a COVID19 victim was kept in an ambulance for a few hours at a cremetorium in Mathugama yesterday, as the caretakers of the crematorium were ordered to give priority to a body with a "VIP connection"

Therefore, the "VIP body" was cremated first while the COVID19 victim's body was kept in an ambulance. The PHIs who were present to supervise the cremation of the COVID19 body were also kept waiting until the "VIP body" was cremated.

The COVID19 victim was a 93-year-old woman in the Mathugama area. The government has set out clear guidlines for the cremation of COVID19 victims as authorities at all levels have been strictly instructed to facilitate this process.

Due to this sudden order by "higher authorities" in Mathugama, the ambulance could not be utilized to transport other COVID19 patients for a few years.