Passing of Missing Persons Bill a significant step forward - UK

The United Kingdom has welcomed the passing of the Office of Missing Persons Bill in the Sri Lankan Parliament, hailing it as a “significant step” forward on the path to reconciliation. 

“Its implementation will help the families of people who are missing across all Sri Lanka’s communities to establish the fate of their loved ones and to foster reconciliation,” a statement said.

“We recognise that the Office will face a significant challenge resolving many thousands of cases.” 

The UK said that investigating these cases with rigour, in ways sympathetic to the needs of victims’ families, will take time and perseverance.

Despite a disruptive protest staged by the Joint Opposition, the Sri Lankan parliament on Thursday passed the bill to set up an Office of Missing Persons (OMP) with amendment and without a vote.

The OMP is being set up as part of the government’s resolve to implement a resolution of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which was jointly sponsored by the US and Sri Lanka during the September 2015 session of the organization.