387 more complaints on missing persons

The Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons has received more than 380 complaints during its public sittings in Mullaitivu that ended on Tuesday.

Commission Chief Maxwell Paranagama told Daily Mirror that the Commission had received 387 new complaints during its sittings in Mullaitivu from July 5 to 8.

“The complaints were registered and complainants will be given fresh dates to make their submissions,” he said and added that the majority of complaints were regarding loved ones who went missing during the final stages of the armed conflict while they were heading towards army-controlled areas.

Meanwhile, the Commission had also recorded submissions from 129 people from 23 Grama Seva divisions in Mullaitivu.

“Since the recording of submissions is only the preliminary stage of inquiries, as we proceed the allegations will be further probed. If particular people are accused, an investigative team will inquire into the allegations and the findings will be compiled into a report,” Mr. Paranagama said adding that they would also be referred to the Attorney General’s Department so that necessary legal action can be taken wherever necessary.

The Commission sittings were held at the Puthukkudiyirippu Divisional Secretariat and the Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat. Its previous public sittings were held in the North and Eastern provinces covering Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Batticaloa.

Mr. Paranagama said the Commission had received more than 18,000 complaints including nearly 5,000 complaints from relatives of missing security personnel. (Lakna Paranamanna)