Wife of Veddah Chief dies of Covid, final rites on Monday
COLOMBO – The wife of Veddah chief Uru Warige Wannila Aththo, diagnosed as COVID-19 positive last week and admitted to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Kandy, died of Covid-related infection on Saturday (4) night.
Uru Warige Heenmenika (68) tested positive for the virus when Rapid Antigen Tests were conducted among the Veddah community and others in Dambana last week. Forty four members of the community also tested positive for the novel coronavirus, along with over 100 people in the area.
Vedda chief Uru Warige Wannila Aththo said his wife had died while receiving treatment in hospital.
Local media reports said Heenmenika, mother to nine children –eight sons and one daughter – had been suffering from renal failure for a while.
The Veddah Chief and his wife were last seen offering bees honey to the Sacred Tooth Relic during the Kandy Esala Pageant last month. The community has described Heenmenika as a nature-loving compassionate person who would often prepare meals for animals in her kitchen.
The last rites will be performed at the Mahiyangana Public Cemetery in accordance with health guidelines on Monday (6).
-ENCL