Task force to provide counselling to missing persons’ families
A psychosocial support task force, which will introduce a range of services to families of missing persons and others in Sri Lanka who suffer from post-conflict trauma, has been set up.
Formed by the Office for National Unity & Reconciliation (ONUR), the task force will take care of psychosocial needs of the families which will be part of the healing process.
As per one estimate, there are at least 24,000 cases of missing persons.
Headed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the ONUR had come up with an action plan “to systematically look into” the cases of the missing persons, an official release said, adding that the implementation of the action plan had commenced.
To facilitate access to services and benefits offered by the state to the families in the absence of a Death Certificate, the Cabinet had approved a mechanism to issue a “Certificate of Absence.”
“The relevant legislation is due to be approved by the Parliament later this month,” the release said, adding that the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), an investigative body, would be in place by August end.
Reacting to the government’s move to establish the OMP, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a Colombo-based NGO, has demanded the formation of a forensics unit within the OMP. The CPA pointed out Kosovo’s Office of Missing Persons and Forensics (OMPF) and civil-society initiatives in Argentina, Peru, and Guatemala as providing a useful road map for a low-cost, victim-centred approach.
(The Hindu)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Severe weather displaces over 200,000 in Sri Lanka November 27, 2024
- NPP General Secretary Nihal Abeysinghe’s vehicle falls into Parliament Pond November 27, 2024
- CBSL reduces monetary policy rate, sets 8% overnight rate November 27, 2024
- IMF Chief hails Sri Lanka’s economic reforms as milestones mark recovery November 27, 2024
- 2024 A/L Examination postponed: New dates announced November 26, 2024
Which post-conflict trauma do you mean? Since when? You should know the exact dates.
Jayraj ,
It is simple. We have had only one and one only post conflict trauma in the recent past . The other was an uprising revolt against the Govt. of the day by JVP.
Since when ? .. Since and during Rajapaksa Regime .
Exact dates ………. not known but not a necessity for conviction or a proposition.
Place or Boundaries …. Entire North and Eastern Provinces.
Entire Project will be handled by a Good Buddhist Sinhala Lady with a fine Heart. There is bound to be magnanimous charity all round.
Former Preisident. Tat exactly who she is. What is she doing trying give her two cents worth when she was drunk most of the time when she was president.
She needs to sit back and think about all the things she did not do for the country during her era.
Her face look like a deteriorated corps.
Well in my opinion Conflict-trauma should be addressed from the time of JVP uprisings in 1970 & 1987 (as Auj correctly pointer out). Again, Madam Chandrika will lobby to bring foreigners to the proposed psychosocial support task force. Because even she is not fit enough to hold an office pertaining to Missing People and establishing of psychosocial support task force. We Sri Lankans have short memories. Remember; In 2006, Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s appointment as a Consultant for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for South Asia has been suspended by the world body due to complaints over violations of human rights and press focus. Please see this: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/061217/News/n118.html
The proposed psychosocial support task force, which will introduce a range of services to families of missing persons and others in Sri Lanka who suffer from post-conflict trauma should cover the period commencing 4th Feb 1948 to date.
All communities residing within the island of Sri Lanka have been subjected to significant political inspired conflict from this time.
There were many minority oriented politically inspired pogroms, eg: 1958, 1977, 1983 the war from 1983-2009, the muslim uprisings in the last days of the Rajapaksa rule.
There were many politically motivated conflicts against the majority community as well; eg the JVP uprisings of 1972 and during the Premadasa regime.
I am ashamed to state that we, Sri Lankans, are a blood stained society for whom, violence is a means of emancipation. The ‘ragging’ in the institutions of higher learning is mirror image of society.
The only hope now lies in introducing Commonwealth Judges in our judiciary and appointing British, American, Singaporean (exclude Bond Mahendram) and Chinese citizens in senior and semi-senior positions in the Government administration.
At least 75% of the members of the current 100 member cabinet of the wickrema-sena government are criminals and should be behind bars.
What a carry on.