28/10/2025
On 30th August 2025, the Human Rights Office in Kandy commemorated the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances with a significant event. The event brought together family members of the disappeared from Kandy, families of prisoners, victims of human rights violations and members of the HRO Support Group.
The highlight of the event was the presence of the Association of Families of the Disappeared in Kandy, comprising children, parents, spouses and siblings of those who forcibly disappeared during the 1988/89 JVP insurrection. Despite their immense personal and collective hardships, decades-long struggle for truth and justice continues. Notably, majority of these family members are now elderly women, carrying the weight of loss and the strength of remembrance, many of them over 60.
Banners displaying photographs of the disappeared were prominently featured throughout the program. These images evoked a strong emotional response, especially among the wives and mothers of the disappeared as they were taken back to painful yet cherished memories of their loved ones.
Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga, Director of HRO Kandy, delivered the opening address, emphasizing that enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity. He urged collective responsibility in ensuring such violations never recur in Sri Lanka.
Following, a short video was screened as a memorialization of the enforced disappeared and as a tribute to the deceased of the Families of the Disappeared in Kandy who dedicated their lives to seeking justice and uncovering the truth.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Tharindu Jayawardhana, an investigative journalist and researcher actively engaged in addressing alleged cases of enforced disappearances. At the outset he explained the types of disappearances and emphasized the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the victims of enforced disappearances across both the South and North of Sri Lanka.
Citing global statistics, Mr. Jayawardhana revealed a startling fact that Sri Lanka ranks second only to Syria in terms of the rate of enforced disappearances. Alarmingly, it is estimated that nearly 1% of the country’s population has been subjected to this grave human rights violation. He highlighted that during the 1988/89 regime, enforced disappearances were systematically used by the government as a tool to suppress political dissent. The very security forces entrusted with the duty to protect citizens, funded by taxpayers were responsible for torturing individuals, particularly targeting the youth, and making them disappear. Mr. Jayawardhana described this as a gross violation of human rights. He stressed that enforced disappearance is not only a crime against the individual, but also a profound violation that affects families, communities, and the broader society. “It erodes public trust in institutions and hinders the nation’s path to reconciliation and justice”.
Referring to recent developments, Mr. Jayawardhana pointed to this year’s excavations of mass graves in Sri Lanka. These sites, containing human skeletal remains and personal belongings including those of children underscore the scale of past abuses. They also highlight the continuing lack of answers for the families of the disappeared. He specifically mentioned the mass grave at “Chemmani” as one of the many sites that serve as chilling reminders of unresolved atrocities. The discovery of the new mass grave has also revived an old question that has continued to haunt the Sri Lankan community in its quest for justice.
Three representatives from the Families of the Disappeared shared their personal accounts during the event, describing the enforced disappearances of their husbands, brothers, and children. Their emotional testimonies, along with their stories of their relentless efforts to search for their loved ones, deeply moved the audience and added a powerful human dimension to the gathering.
Mr. Rukshan Fernando, a well-known human rights defender, guided a group discussion. Participants discussed both legal and social actions that could lead to a common campaign for justice. A key point raised was the urgent need to establish a robust legal framework to effectively counter enforced disappearances and deliver justice.
On the social front, the discussion highlighted the importance of government involvement in ensuring the welfare of the victims’ families. It was emphasized that families of the disappeared require tangible, practical, and holistic support including psychosocial assistance. Although some financial relief has been provided, participants stressed that the government must develop a comprehensive reparation package for all victims of enforced disappearances.
Concerns were also raised regarding reports of surveillance, intimidation, and retaliation against victims’ families and human rights defenders, particularly during memorialisation activities. It was stressed that the right to mourn and to protest are fundamental human rights and therefore seeking truth and justice should never be criminalized. Those engaged in this struggle deserve protection, not punishment. Ensuring their safety is essential, not only to uphold human rights, but also to rebuild trust and make justice and reconciliation a reality.
At the conclusion of the event, representatives from various groups shared their reflections and collective deliberations. Participants expressed their gratitude to the Human Rights Office Kandy for organizing such a meaningful programme and for raising awareness about enforced disappearances - a crime against humanity.
