Presidential Commission:

Considerable progress made

Dulshani Gunawardena

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into incidents of abductions, disappearances, unexplained killings and unidentified dead bodies of persons throughout the island held a special media discussion yesterday on the progress achieved so far. Stating that there had been around 15,000 case files at the inception in September 2006, the Chairman of the Commission, Mahanama Tillakaratne stated that this number has hence been considerably reduced..

The Commission briefed the media on an extensive inquiry conducted in the Trincomalee Police Division from September 17 to September 19, covering 12 Police Stations.

The Chairman stated that since civil administration in the Eastern Province has been established people have gained more confidence with the Police and move more freely. Citing an example, he referred to the case of Selvaratnam Srikandarasa which was reported to the Police on October 26, 2009; a year and a half later since his disappearance on April 25, 2008.

The Commission specifically noted that disappearances and abductions have caused severe financial strain to families when the particular person was the sole breadwinner of the family.

The Commission being of the view that such families should be paid some compensation by the Government. A list of 31 families deserving such payment has been submitted to the President.

The Commission in its investigations have looked into the complaints regarding the alleged disappearance of three employees of the Mitzui Cement factory. The General Manager of the above factory had been summoned to testify before the Commission. He stated that no employees with such names had been under them. However, the China Bay Police have been requested to make further inquiries in this regard.

The Chairman further stated that investigations have revealed that a section among the allegedly disappeared persons had fled the country illegally. Some of them have returned by now. None of them have been murdered and they are living a normal life.

Prior to liberation of the Eastern Province, the LTTE as well as other rival factions had been involved in a massive scale in abducting persons opposed to them.

The Police and Security Forces had also been alleged of abductions. But the Commission has yet been unable to establish the bona fide of such complaints as in some instances, individuals posing as police officers had conducted the abductions.

Calling out for more efficient Police service, the Chairman, Tillekeratne stated that the Police should be more active and dedicated to establish law and order. He stated one instant where a van carrying an abducted person had passed two Police checkpoints, without no checking being done.

The Police also had failed to conduct proper investigations into certain complaints. Moreover, they tend to ignore, causing the complainants a great deal of hassle. Such actions will simply make the general public lose confidence in the Police and be discouraged from seeking justice. He further stated that the respective officers have been instructed to carry out investigations into complaints and report back to the Commission.

He also called for complainants to provide their maximum support to the Police, as some complainants fail to provide sufficient information. He also urged them to appear before the Commission to ensure that justice is regained.