Colombo abolishes burial, cremation fees for city residents
By Dharshan Balasuriya
Daily Mirror lk News
12 February 2026
Views – 743
Colombo, Feb. 12 (Daily Mirror) – The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to remove all burial and cremation fees for residents living within the Colombo municipal limits, Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said.
She said the exemption, which takes immediate effect, applies exclusively to tax-paying residents within the Colombo municipal limits.
Mayor Balthazaar said the decision was a key proposal in the CMC’s 2026 budget and is intended to provide direct relief to city residents. Previously, families were required to pay around Rs. 10,000 for a cremation and approximately Rs. 300 for a burial. Under the newly approved resolution, these charges have been completely removed.
“This is the first time a municipal council in Sri Lanka has implemented such a measure,” the Mayor said, noting that families experiencing a loss should not be further burdened with financial obligations. “When a family loses a loved one, they are already under immense emotional pressure. We wanted the council to provide relief, not add to their suffering.”
The proposal, spearheaded by the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) administration, received unanimous support from all council members, including those from Opposition and independent groups.
“While minor reductions to cemetery fees had been discussed in previous years, this marks the first full waiver of such charges,” she said.
However, the Mayor clarified that the exemption applies only to residents within the Colombo municipality. Fees will continue to be charged for deceased individuals brought from outside the municipal boundaries for final rites.