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The government’s lack of commitment to address “disappearances” was also
evident in its continued failure to cooperate with international mechanisms. For
example, the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances sent a
request in October 2006 to visit Sri Lanka in early 2007, but the government
responded that it would not be possible for the visit to take place at that time. 118
On June 27 the government took another step to address the growing concern about
“disappearances,” announcing the creation of a special center under the direction of
President Rajapaksa for gathering information on abductions in and around
Colombo. 119 It remains unclear how this center will function, and whether it will help
end the rash of abductions and “disappearances” that continue to occur.
In response to queries from Human Rights Watch, the government said on July 12
that the Disappearance Investigation Unit (DIU) of the Sri Lanka police is mandated
to investigate cases of enforced disappearance. The unit is under the purview of the
police deputy inspector general in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department
(CID), currently D.W. Prathapasingha. The CID also conducts a few investigations into
“disappearances,” the government said. 120
118 Interactive dialogue at the Human Rights Council with the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances,
March 21, 2007.
119 “Media is Commended for highlighting HR violations; government sets up a special center to avert abductions,” Ministry of
Defence news release, June 28, 2007, http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070628_01 (accessed June 28, 2007).
120 Sri Lankan government response to Human Rights Watch, July 12, 2007.
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