Thursday, January 23, 2014

Sri Lanka: Note on The Commission on Disappearances sittings in Kilinochchi



Brito Fenando
·         Inquiry started focusing Kilinochchi District and covered 10 Grama Sevaka Divisions in 4 days.
·         Registered victims are called according to the GS divisions.
·          The staff interview all the persons who come there and new forms were also filled by the staff.
·         Three commissioners inquire the victims , one by one and refer them to the state councilors for recording further details.

·         The proceedings are been reordered and Tamil translations was given.
·         We were allowed to sit as observers. On 18th Rev. Fr. Sebamalei and Myself were there. 19th, I was there. On 20th and 21st MCC  representative was there.
·          



Number called for inquiry
Number inquired
The total number appeared
18th January
38
38
90
19th
52
44
44
20th
41
37
114
21st
25
36
160


·         When the families hear about the commission ‘s sittings They come even without invitations.
·          Army and Police after visiting many families in Kilinochchi area,  had asked them   to come near the Kilinochchi AGA’s office, on 20th . Nearly 1200 family members have come including the members of the armed forces, whose relatives were disappeared. The families have been asked to accept the death certificates promising their welfare will be looked after.9 Death certificates have been issued. Some, who participated there, also  came to the commission, which was also held near by. ( Will get more details about this)
·         The next dates have not yet been finalized.