The body of a Jaffna-based independent Tamil journalist who died of COVID-19 last week, was cremated yesterday. 26-year-old Pragas Gnanapragasam from Kodikamam died on the 2nd September 2021, after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.
His body was cremated at the Kompayan Cemetery in Jaffna in accordance with health guidelines for COVID-19 and his ashes were laid yesterday evening at the Jaffna Our Lady of Rosary Church.
Pragas, was an independent journalist writing for magazines and newspapers in the North-East. He also contributed to the Tamil Guardian, as a correspondent based in the North-East, sending updates from the Tamil homeland. After losing his ability to walk at the age of seven due to muscular dystrophy, Pragas stopped going to school in grade 5 but persevered to pursue a career in media.
Although Pragas was a muscular dystrophy patient, he was reportedly told by officials that he was not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Earlier this year, Pragas highlighted that vaccinations had not been prioritised for muscular dystrophy patients despite being disproportionately vulnerable to coronavirus.
(Photograph courtesy of @JDSLanka)
A memorial paying tribute to Pragas was carried out by Batticaloa Press Club yesterday where journalists based in the Batticaloa district paid their tributes to the late journalist.
(Photograph courtesy of @JDSLanka)
A memorial was also held in Kilinochchi by The Kilinochchi Media Forum on Friday.
