President Mahinda Rajapaksa has extended the period of coverage of the Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate cases of alleged disappearances of persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to cover the period from 01st January, 1983 to 19th May, 2009. Earlier this was limited to the period of 1990 - 2009. This decision was taken as the Commission had received many complaints from the public regarding disappearances and missing persons prior to 1990.
The Extra Ordinary Gazette notification issued last night has also extended the warrant for the submission of the final report of the Commission to August 15, 2014.
President Rajapaksa has issued this Gazette notification in accordance with provisions of Chapter 393, Section 4 of the Commission of Inquiry Act.
The Gazette states that the President reposing great trust and confidence in the Commission's prudence, ability and fidelity, is directing the Commission to take all such steps as may be found necessary to execute functions of the Commission established by the afore-mentioned warrant.
In February 2014, President Rajapaksa also extended the mandate of the Commission to August 12, 2014 by another six months.
Courtesy : President Media Unit
MoD