The Office on Missing Persons, which has sought everyone’s support for the ‘International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances’ to be held in Jaffna the day after tomorrow – on Tuesday (25 August 2026), stated that it is expediting assistance to the families of the disappeared while also actively pursuing investigations.

A special media briefing explaining the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances event to be held at the Jaffna District Secretariat, as well as the activities and future plans of the Office on Missing Persons, was held this afternoon – on Sunday, 23 August 2026, at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office.

Mahesh Katulanda, Chairman of the Office on Missing Persons, and Management Committee members Thambiah Yogarajah and Mirak Raheem participated in this media briefing and provided explanations to the media.

Speaking at the briefing, they said,
This day, which is usually observed internationally on August 30, will this time be observed in Jaffna on Tuesday, August 25. In previous years, this event was held at Temple Trees and the Kompannaveediya Memorial Hall. This time, we will observe the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances in Jaffna.

Regarding the disappeared, ‘Of the 23,352 applications we have received, 16,966 applications have been taken up for consideration, excluding applications concerning members of the armed forces and duplicate applications. Of these, preliminary investigations relating to 9,819 complaints have been completed so far. Approximately 2,000 applications requested for further investigations have been sent to the Investigation Division at our head office. Of these, details relating to approximately 800 applications are being sought by sending letters to the relevant institutions. At the same time, based on the complaints we have received, we have so far directly located 31 persons’ they stated.

‘So far, 7,726 complaints have been referred to the Office for Reparations for the provision of interim relief, and interim relief has been provided to 5,540 applicants. The payment of two hundred thousand rupees being provided is not compensation; it is livelihood assistance for dependents of missing persons. The present government and the Minister of Justice have jointly appointed a special committee to study and submit a report on the provision of appropriate compensation. A decision on the method of providing compensation will be made after the recommendations of that committee are received’ they also noted.

Meanwhile, the present government has been acting with greater concern regarding matters relating to missing persons. A sum of 375 million rupees has been allocated this year for investigations and other expenses related to this. In addition, despite the restrictions on government appointments, permission has been obtained, with the special approval of the Secretary to the Prime Minister, to recruit 69 new officers to our office. Accordingly, 47 persons have now joined the service, while appointments for the remaining persons will be made in the coming weeks, they also stated