Archives

by A. H. M. Farook

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka appointed last Saturday a one-man committee to inquire and probe into complaints of disappearances of persons in Jaffna peninsula during 1996-1997 period.

This decision was taken at a discussion, representatives of the HRC had with members of the Association of Guardians of Missing Arrested Persons (AGMAP) in Jaffna HRC office said chairman of the HRC Dr. Godfrey Goonethilake.

The committee is headed by one time Government Agent of Jaffna Devanesan Nesiah while the secretary will be M. C. M. Iqbal - a leading human rights activist based in Colombo.

Non-availability of funds had hampered the HRC in appointing a committee of this nature. It has received sufficient funds now to continue its programmes, said Dr. Goonethilake.

Representatives from Jaffna Citizens Committee and Jaffna District political unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were present at this discussion.

Earlier, parents and relatives of missing persons had complained to government authorities that their children and near ones either disappeared or went missing during military operations in Jaffna in the 1996-1997 period.

The committee will commence its sittings from December 16, HRC sources said.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager