The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (the Commission), was established over a year ago on 15th August 2013 by Gazette 1823/42. The sole purpose of the Commission was to investigate and inquire into cases of disappearances in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
In March 2014, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) published a critique of the Commission proceedings and raised concerns about the existing legal and policy framework in terms of investigations and inquiries in Sri Lanka. In July 2014, CPA raised further concerns regarding the newly expanded mandate of the Commission, which extended inquiry into a wide range of issues including violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. We fear that its primary focus of inquiring into the large number of unresolved cases of disappearances, which is essential for truth and justice in Sri Lanka, will be diluted. These concerns and fears stem from CPA’s observations and engagement at public sittings in the North and East.
More than a year into the Commission’s mandate, CPA highlights both the limited progress made by the Commission to date and the damaging effect of the expanded mandate. There is a huge difference between the rhetoric of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and ground realities. This continues to constitute a damning indictment of the lack of political will on the part of GoSL to genuinely and effectively address post war grievances of affected communities.
