-By A Investigative Journalist – Cutting Through the Smoke
(Lanka-e-News -19.Dec.2024, 11.00 PM) In Sri Lanka’s darkest pandemic days, amid fear, chaos, and uncertainty, another story brewed beneath the surface—one not about health but about power, propaganda, and human rights violations. The forced cremation of Muslim janazas (funerals) during COVID-19 was not only a gross infringement on religious freedoms but also a tale of media manipulation that now demands a closer look. At the heart of this controversy lies Derana Media Network, helmed by media mogul Dilith Jayaweera, whose involvement raises troubling questions about ethics, misinformation, and accountability.
The cremation policy, enforced under the guise of COVID safety measures, not only devastated Sri Lanka’s Muslim community but also became a rallying point for growing accusations of anti-Muslim sentiment fueled by mainstream media. Derana’s role in this situation, both in its coverage and alleged distortion of facts, merits deep scrutiny.
In early 2020, as COVID-19 gripped the world, Sri Lankan authorities implemented a controversial policy mandating the cremation of all COVID-19 victims, despite religious and cultural objections. For Muslims, whose burial rites are non-negotiable, this policy was more than a public health measure—it was an act of cultural and spiritual violence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had already clarified that both burial and cremation were permissible for COVID victims, provided proper safety protocols were followed. Yet, Sri Lankan authorities ignored this guideline. The government’s justification? Health concerns. However, as investigations unfolded, the lack of scientific basis for this policy became evident.
This is where the media, particularly Derana, allegedly stepped in to validate and normalize forced cremations through a carefully crafted narrative.
Derana, one of Sri Lanka’s most influential private media networks, played a central role in shaping public opinion during the pandemic. While other outlets reported the policy with caution, Derana aggressively pushed a narrative that not only justified cremations but also vilified those who questioned the policy—particularly members of the Muslim community.
Several instances of Derana’s alleged complicity in spreading misinformation include:
1. Fabricating Information:
One of the most damning revelations came when anchor Chatura Alwis allegedly admitted off-camera that WHO guidelines explicitly permitted burials. However, according to sources, Alwis suggested that the WHO letter be removed from Derana’s platforms and replaced with a fabricated document emphasizing cremation as the only safe method.
If true, this would not just be media manipulation; it would be a blatant criminal act of misinformation. Deliberately distorting public health guidelines to fit an anti-Muslim agenda during a global pandemic reeks of malice and opportunism.
2. Setting the Media Agenda:
Derana’s programming often featured discussions designed to reinforce the legitimacy of cremations. Expert panels, commentators, and news anchors collectively echoed government rhetoric while suppressing alternative perspectives or religious considerations.
Critical voices, including Muslim leaders and public health officials advocating for burials, were either sidelined or portrayed as “anti-national” or “health threats.” The stage was set to normalize a policy that disproportionately targeted the Muslim community while other communities remained largely unaffected.
3. The Anti-Muslim Undertone:
Derana’s framing of the cremation issue dovetailed with pre-existing anti-Muslim sentiments in Sri Lankan society, exacerbated by years of political and media-driven scapegoating. During the pandemic, fear became a convenient weapon, and Derana wielded it with precision.
Critics argue that Derana took advantage of the COVID-19 panic to propagate subtle—and sometimes overt—anti-Muslim narratives, turning a humanitarian crisis into a political opportunity.
As the chairman of Derana Media Network, Dilith Jayaweera is not a neutral figure. A well-connected businessman and political strategist, Jayaweera’s ties to the Rajapaksa administration, particularly then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, have long raised eyebrows.
Observers question whether Jayaweera’s media empire acted independently or as a mouthpiece for government policy. His proximity to political power gives credence to theories that Derana’s messaging was not coincidental but orchestrated to reinforce state narratives.
During the forced cremation controversy, Jayaweera neither intervened to ensure balanced reporting nor addressed growing public outcry against Derana’s content. His silence—and complicity—makes him a key figure who must now answer critical questions:
• Did Dilith Jayaweera sanction or turn a blind eye to propaganda that justified forced cremations?
• Was Derana used as a tool to suppress dissent and marginalize an already vulnerable community?
• If misinformation was indeed propagated, how far up the chain of command did this approval go?
The allegations are serious and demand not just answers but accountability.
The forced cremations in Sri Lanka attracted international condemnation. Human rights organizations labeled it as discriminatory, unethical, and a clear violation of religious freedoms. The United Nations, Amnesty International, and the United States State Department all raised concerns about the Sri Lankan government’s policy and its impact on the Muslim minority.
The question now arises: if media entities like Derana played an active role in legitimizing and propagating the forced cremation policy, does this constitute a crime against humanity?
International human rights law is clear—deliberate acts that target religious or cultural groups, particularly during crises, can be grounds for investigation. Media organizations are not above this scrutiny, especially when their influence contributes to policies that violate basic human rights.
If allegations against Derana and Dilith Jayaweera hold weight, accountability must follow—whether through domestic legal channels or international forums.
Several legal experts and community leaders argue that the role of Derana Media and its leadership must be thoroughly investigated. Here’s what needs to happen:
1. Domestic Investigation:
Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) must launch a transparent inquiry into allegations of media propaganda and fabricated content. If Chatura Alwis’s alleged comments about manipulating WHO guidelines are verified, it could form the basis for criminal charges against Derana Media and its executives.
2. Accountability for Dilith Jayaweera:
As a public figure and media leader, Jayaweera must answer for Derana’s role in the cremation controversy. If evidence emerges of deliberate misinformation or complicity, he must be held accountable, both legally and financially. Compensation for affected families should be a priority.
3. International Pressure:
The United States State Department has already expressed interest in investigating Sri Lanka’s forced cremation policy. International organizations must now broaden their scope to include media complicity, ensuring that outlets like Derana face scrutiny for their role in violating human rights.
4. Legal Action from the Muslim Community:
Families of the victims, supported by legal advocacy groups, can file complaints both domestically and internationally. If evidence of media propaganda emerges, Derana and its leadership could face significant legal and reputational consequences.
The forced cremation of Muslim janazas during Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 crisis was more than just a public health misstep; it was a devastating blow to religious freedom and human dignity. The role of Derana Media and its leadership, particularly Dilith Jayaweera, in propagating and justifying this policy must be investigated without delay.
In times of crisis, the media has a duty to inform, educate, and hold power accountable. Instead, Derana allegedly chose to amplify fear, suppress dissent, and contribute to policies that caused irreparable harm to a minority community. If proven, such actions demand accountability—legal, moral, and financial.
The Muslim community’s calls for justice are not only valid but urgent. Families who were denied the right to lay their loved ones to rest according to their faith deserve answers, reparations, and closure.
As the international community turns its attention to Sri Lanka, the question remains: Will Dilith Jayaweera and Derana Media face the music, or will this story, like so many others, fade into obscurity? One thing is clear—this is not just a battle for justice; it’s a fight for truth, dignity, and the very soul of Sri Lanka’s democracy.
And in this fight, the world is watching.
Derana Video as follows
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by (2024-12-19 22:12:54)
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