Sri Lanka's government has reinforced the Office on Missing Persons with increased funding, additional staff, and expanded family representation, while accelerating investigations into thousands of pending cases of enforced disappearances.
The government has implemented significant measures to strengthen the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and advance investigations into enforced disappearances, according to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. The OMP's Board of Directors has been completed with representatives from families of the disappeared, and the institution has been granted operational independence to fulfill its mandate. Additionally, 69 new staff members have been recruited to support ongoing work.
As of July 31, 2026, the OMP had identified 16,966 complaints as investigable and initiated preliminary inquiries, with another 11,000 cases delayed due to insufficient resources. The government allocated Rs. 375 million in 2025 to accelerate investigations through 25 dedicated committees. By end of July, preliminary investigations into 3,000 pending cases had been completed, with the government targeting completion of all preliminary inquiries by the end of 2027. To date, 1,594 cases have been referred for further investigation, while 2,719 Certificates of Absence and 409 Certificates of Death have been issued to address families' legal and administrative needs.
The government has uncovered final information in 31 cases, which has been communicated privately to families. Over 5,400 persons have been referred to the Reparations Office for compensation and support services including psychosocial assistance, housing, education, and vocational training. Investigation into mass graves has received particular attention, with Rs. 57 million allocated for excavations and related legal procedures at the Chemmani site, emphasizing evidence-based inquiry using forensic methods and DNA testing.
Addressing families at an August 25 commemoration ceremony in Jaffna marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Nanayakkara acknowledged the years of waiting and suffering while pledging continued commitment to truth-seeking and justice. He stated that while the government cannot reverse the past, it can investigate thoroughly, apply the law fairly, and ensure victims' voices are heard.
