No persons in secret prison; President tells families of missing persons

President Maithripala Sirisena told a group of family members of the missing persons that no missing person is held in secret custody as various allegations are being made that some persons are being apprehended in government’s detention centers. 

President Sirisena said that he has a clear understanding regarding the issues faced by each community in this country, and said that the government including he himself is committed to provide solutions to those issues in a very open and fair manner. The discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday where they presented their issues and demands to the President in detail.

President Sirisena emphasized that his aim is to provide swift solutions for the issues faced by the family members of the missing persons.

President also instructed to submit a new application through District Secretaries to obtain complains of the family members of the missing persons, to collect their appeals as well as to collect their information. A relavant Circular to be issued to all the District Secretaries stipulating to collect that information before December 15.

He further advised to review those gathered information through the Office of Missing Persons (OMP)  and the Missing Persons Commission.

Officials including the Secretary to the President, Austin Fernando and the Secretary to the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation Mr. Sivagnanasothy participated in this meeting.