World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Dikkoya Hospital mortuary staff accused of charging for funeral services
An activist group has alleged that employees at Dikkoya Base Hospital's mortuary have been accepting payments to provide services typically offered by funeral parlours. Video evidence of the alleged practices was released to media outlets on Wednesday.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Allegations have surfaced that staff members at the mortuary division of Dikkoya Base Hospital have been engaging in unauthorized commercial activities, accepting money from bereaved families in exchange for services conventionally provided by professional funeral establishments.
The accusations emerged after an advocacy group opposed to such practices released video footage to the media. The recordings, reportedly captured on a mobile phone, allegedly document mortuary staff performing funeral-related services for payment.
The group claimed the practice represents an abuse of the hospital's facilities and a breach of professional ethics. The videos were distributed to media organisations on Wednesday, bringing the matter into public attention.
The allegations raise questions about oversight and regulatory standards at the public health facility. Hospital authorities have not yet issued a formal response to the claims. The matter highlights ongoing concerns about accountability within Sri Lanka's healthcare system and the need for clearer protocols governing mortuary operations at state hospitals.