CPA levels criticism against Presidential Commission on missing persons

Highlighting a number of shortcomings in the conduct of the Sri Lankan government’s Presidential Commission to investigate in to Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (COI), the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has urged the commission to make public its interim report.

Referring the concerns regarding the mandate and operation of the COI which were previously expressed by CPA, its Executive Director Dr. P. Saravanamuttu in a letter addressed to the COI, has said he doubts whether there is genuine willingness by the Government to address issues of truth, justice and reparations.

The letter, by highlighting the fact that some of the military officials including Major General Jagath Dias and Major General Kamal Gunaratne had been interviewed by the COI, went on to express its concern regarding the secrecy of those meetings.   “Our concern is compounded by the non-availability of the option of a private sitting for all the victims, families and witnesses who have come before the COI” said the CPA.

The CPA also expressed its concerns with regard to the thousands of complaints that have yet to be heard and processed by the COI and asked whether any information will be shared with the victims, families and affected communities who have already testified before it.

The CPA said, it is worried as to whether the new Government too is relying on the tactics of the former regime to delay any independent and credible truth and justice mechanisms.