Investigation Time Period of Missing Persons Commission Amended from 1983 to 2009
The time period of the Presidential Commission to inquire into cases of alleged disappearances of persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces has been amended to cover the period from 1983 to 2009. Previously, the time period consisted of the years from 1990 to 2009.
On a warrant issued under the hand of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a Gazette notification was issued yesterday (March 25) in accordance with provisions under the Commissions of Inquiry Act.
“We welcome the change of the period of investigation,” said the Secretary of the Commission Mr. H.W. Gunadasa. “During our visits to Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Batticaloa, we received complaints about activities of other organizations. Since our mandate (was) to investigate incidents that occurred during 1990–2009, we could not accept these complaints.”
The three-member Commission, comprising Mr. Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama (Chairman), Mrs. Dimingu Badathuruge Priyanthi Suranjana Vidyaratne and Mrs. Mano Ramanathan, has been given the authority to conduct inquiries and investigations necessary, and submit a report to the President.
In February of this year, President Rajapaksa extended the mandate of the Commission by six months to August 12, 2014.
“We have already received approximately 16,000 complains so far from all parts of the country in response to our public notices in Sinhala, Tamil and English newspapers,” said Commission Chairman Mr. Paranagama. “During our visits, we normally receive 300 to 400 new complaints. There is a good response from the public.” (LLRC News)
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Thanks. Something useful has been done. Now, don’t forget to ask at the UNHRC why it should not be extended to the beginning of the terrorism.
That’s an excellent move.
My cousin, who was a flourishing baker in Jaffna Town dissapeared from his bakery in 1983 taken away by gun toting terrorists on motorcycles.
His wife and 6 children have been consistently searching for him but have not been succesful. They have approached local and international agencies for 31 years with no result.
Hope this missing persons commission will locate him and restore the family. But when I read the names of the members, I find a “Navi Pillay” as a member. She will of course, protect her kith and kin and shield the culprits belonging to her ethnic community.
My cousin’s wife has already written to higher authorities about this intrusion. Hope the lady will be replaced by a true Sri Lankan citizen of impeccable patriotism to our land.