Enforced disappearances to be made criminal offence

Moves are afoot by the Government to 

introduce new laws in order to make enforced disappearances a criminal offence.

Speaking to media the secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Kamilini De Silva stated that while there are adequate laws in place regarding the matter the Ministry is currently studying if new laws need to be introduced to make enforced disappearances a criminal offence and would decide if it could be done by amending the existing laws or through new legislation. “The matter has been referred to the Attorney General as well” she further stated.

The Ministry is considering making enforced disappearances in order to enforce a recommendation of the National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights and the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission according to the Secretary.

Enforced disappearances occur when persons are arrested, detained or abducted against their will or deprived of their liberty by government officials or by organized groups, followed by a refusal to disclose the where about of the persons or a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of their liberty which places the persons outside the protection of law.

Trial-at-Bar to try Vaas Gunawardene, five others

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris will appoint a special Trial-at-Bar for the case in which former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and the five others including his son accused in the killing of Bambalapitiya businessman Mohammed Shyam.

The Chief Justice had made this decision after considering the judicial significance of the case which was highlighted by Attorney General Palitha Fernando.

The special Trail-at-Bar will comprise the three High Court Judges Lalith Jayasuriya, Liyon Seneviratne and Rohini Walgama.

DIG Vaas Gunawardena and his son Ravindu, Sub Inspector Indika, Police Constable Gamini Sanath Chandra, PC Priyanka Sanjeewa and PC Kelum Ranga were indicted by the Attorney General in the killing of businessman Shyam whose body was recovered from a thicket at Dompe in May last year.