Government Pushes for Truth, Justice, and Reparation on Enforced Disappearances

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The government reaffirmed its commitment to addressing enforced disappearances, emphasizing efforts guided by the principles of truth, justice, and reparation.

At a public awareness program held in Colombo, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, highlighted the urgent need to establish a formal Truth Commission to document crimes and provide closure to affected families. 

He noted that delivering justice should also include economic and social support for survivors, with the Ministry of Justice already initiating steps toward this goal.

Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, underlined that enforced disappearances are deliberate crimes, and the government bears responsibility to acknowledge and act on these violations. 

The ministry is introducing a new mechanism to provide long-term reparations to families, ensuring transparency and moving beyond one-time payments.

The program reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to uphold accountability, support victims’ families, and restore public trust in addressing past abuses.