Women of North and East call for ending impunity and ensuring non-recurrence of enforced and involuntary disappearances in Sri Lanka
“We, as conflict affected women and victims, have searched for disappeared loved ones and witnessed thousands of others searching for their loved ones. Many have gone before numerous state initiatives including several commissions of inquiry appointed by successive governments with no answers given or effective steps taken to prevent future disappearances. After many years of empty promises, we were heartened by the Government of Sri Lanka’s ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in May 2016 and looked forward to domestic legislation being introduced to criminalise enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka and make it meaningful locally. In February 2017, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Bill was gazetted and we waited for Parliament to debate and thereby criminalise disappearances. On 5th July, we were disappointed to hear of the indefinite postponement of the debate without any reasons given. We believe the Bill is essential for reconciliation as it will prevent future disappearances, end impunity and ensure that no loved ones will have to experience the pain many have experienced for decades.
We are also aware that several actors are spreading false information of the proposed lawand attempting to prevent the Bill being taken up for debate. Such persons through their actions are effectively sending the message that no action should be taken on enforced and involuntary disappearances and thereby promoting the culture of impunity. We are indeed saddened by such irresponsible statements and action, as it shows that many are unaware of the pain and suffering caused by disappearances to families and communities and are encouraging a crime that has a devastating impact and perpetuates the suffering faced by thousands across Sri Lanka, in the north, south, east and west.
Numerous commissions over the years and most recently the Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reform and Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms from 2016 highlighted the plight of victims of enforced and involuntary disappearances. Many women who came before the consultation processes in 2016 spoke of the need for guarantees of non-recurrence in relation to disappearance. We believe criminalizing disappearances in Sri Lanka is a critical step in this process. Therefore, we call on the Government of Sri Lanka and political leaders to take a firm stand on a crime that has been unaddressed for too many years and to take immediate steps to debate and enact the Bill into Sri Lankan law. Such a measure will provide confidence to us and the many affected persons in all communities that genuine steps are finally being taken to stop future disappearances and ensure non-recurrence.
SIGNATORIES
Name Village
Arulanantham Maryglora Thalaimannar Village
Thangavel Malayamma Madukkarai
Jutta Jothinayagi Paalampitti
Susaipillai Vetriyamma Pallimunai
Kallaraththinam Ranjani Thadchanamaruthamadu
Thadchanaamoorthi Saanthamalarnaayagi Thadchanaamaruthamadu
Jensi Amalini Vangaalai
Stalin Anat Linda Pesalai
Sokkalingam Parasakthi Paalampitti
Iliyas Anthonia Naruvilikkulam
Paththinaathan Loorthamma Naruvilikkulam
Anthony Elizabeth Naruvilikkulam
Siththaanthurai Sebamaalai Pallimunai
Mary Catherin Quinta Konnaiyankudiyiruppu
Manual Uthayachandra Pallimunai
Atputharasa Sumathra Sinnavalayankattu
Sivapalan Sakunthaladevi Pesalai
Thevarasa Iruthayamalar Saalamban
Rajamani Jegatheeswari Aandangulam
Jeyarasa Pushparani Chinavalayankattu
Vellakkannan Gowriyambal Poovarasangulam
K Arulvathanaa
P Jeyakumari
K P Kowshalya
N Nageswariyamma
T Kalaichchelvi
S Arumainayagi
K Parameshwari
Shaik Mohammed Haroon Karamba
Rakeeb Aynul Jariya Jaffna
Thaslifa Nagavillu
Fareena Palavi
A.M.Silmiya Karamba
Raseena Umaa Karamba
Raleena Palavi
Akbar Akeela Hijrathpuram
Baby sakeela Hijrathpuram
Sithy Umma Safi Nagar
M.A.C. cassim Husainiya Puram
Saithun Riswan Nagavillu
Naseefa Jaffna
Masooda Rathmalyaya
Sithy Habeeba
Jabbarullah Thiliyadi
Suganthi Theiventhiram Vivekanandanagar
S Sivanamma Paranthan
S Saroja Kandavalai
M Methila Vinayakapuram
Rajendran Yogamalarani Ananthpuram East
Yogarasa Kanakaranjini Thondamannagar
Kannichchelvam Pushparani Vivekanandanagar
Mariyathas Kunarathinam Kanakaambikaikulam
Gnanasekaram Sivamalar Uthayanagar
Kanthasami Ponnamma Kandavalai
Pushparajah Maheswari Akkarayan
Sanmukampillai Sarojini Thonikkal, Vavuniya
Sahathevan Sasikala Vannerikkulam
Kanthaiah Ramanathan Skanthapuram
Selva Vigneshwari Tharmapuram
Pathmanathan Pathmarani Utrukkulam
Rathnasapapathi Kalaichchelvi Ampal Nagar
Kanthasamy Devi Kandavalai
Vaithilingam Nagaratnma Pulliyampokkanai
V. Theresamma Maharambakkulam
S. Puvaneshwari Thasnagar
A Kalaivaani Heeraamapuram
P. kanmani Kannankottam
S. Maheswari Heeraamapuram
S. Sivajothy Maharambaikulam
A Jeyakumari Heeraamapuram
P. Indija Kuttinagar
K. Jenitta Heeramapuram
T. Sivapaatham Omanthai
M. Revathi Thonikkal
M. Valantina Katkuzhi
S. Rajeshwari Katkuzhi
K. Theresa Poonthoddam
S. Selvasundaram Eeechchangulam
T. Prathaap Maharambaikkulam
M. Suthasmi Omanthai
S. Sarojini Omanathai
E. Sunthari Maharambaikulam
V. Paakiyam Kudiyiruppu
A Kodiswari Kurumankaadu
S. Inthumathi Kurumankaadu
S. Nallathambi Poonthottam
S. Aazhakamma Poonthottam
M. Arumugam Sinakkulam
A Pushparani Sithamparapuram
M. Sarojadevi Thonikkal
X. Pazhani Kovilkulam
P. Santhini Kovilkulam
S. Komathi Kovilkulam
T. Thangamani Omanthai
Manoharani Vallinyake Chemmalai
Arulananthan Sarojiniamma Kallappaadu
Mariya Suresh Eshwari Mullaitheevu
Bavananthan Rathi Mulliavalai
Navaratnam Pathmavathi Kumullamunai
Mahendrarasa Uthayakumari Mulliavalai
Kalirasa Pavalarani Mootur
Iniyavan Kanthimathy Mootur
Manokaran Uthayananthy Mootur
Velautham Thevimani Mootur
Balasupramaniyam Maheswari Mootur
Mathiyalagan Chandirakala Mootur
Koneshwaran Kishnapriya Mootur
Sivalingam Mankaleshwari Mootur
Velautham Mahathevan Mootur
Thangathurai Rukkumanithevi Mootur
K Chandramathy Karukamunai
P Saraswathy Karukamunai
K Thangapilai Karukamunai
N Annaletchumi Karukamunai
M Thangaraththinam Mengamama
V krishnapillai Karukamunai
R Komalavalli Poonagar
K Annapullai Punnaiyadi
K Thangarasa Karukamunai
K Sabaraththinam Karukamunai
K Chithravel Karukamunai
Kayathu Mohamed Siththy Jinnah Valaichchenai
Uthuma Lebbe Pathtummah Mawadichchenai
Kachchimohamed Najeema Brainthuraichchenai
Packeerthamby Alawi umma Kaavathamunai
Illiyas Fathima Farsana Oddamavadi-3
Kachchi Mohamed Awwaummah Kaavathamunai
Kalanthar Labbe Kulanthaiumma Maavadichchenai
Mohamed Ibraahim Subairaummah Thiyavattavan
Aliyaar MariyamBevi Kavaththamunai
Mohamed IsmaIl Lailathumma Oddamavadi-01
Mohamed Ismail Kulanthaiumma Kavaththamunai
Sinnathamby Kulainthai umma Valaichchenai
M.B.Achchummah Kavaththamunai
MA. Narkees Braithuraichchenai
Fareetha Oddamavadi-2
Anthony Amalaraj Chenkalady
Seeniththambi Vijayarani Chenkalady
Rudramoorthy Maheswari Ayiththiyamalai
Kodiswaran Pathmarakini Ayiththiyamalai
Subramaniam Lalitha Chenkalady
Thuraisingaham Sivapakiyam Chenkalady
Ganeshan Santhi Ayiththiyamalai
Thavarasa Thevarani Karadiyanaaru
Thavarasa Thangamani Ayiththiyamalai
Sriskandarajah Pushpam Ayiththiyamalai
Vel Sumanan Ayiththiyamalai
Thirumal Saritha Ayiththiyamalai
Sasikaran Ronika Ayiththiyamalai
Sivarajah Jeyaranjini Unnichchai
Kumarasaamy Sriskumar Unnichchai
Perinparajah Saroja Unnichchai
Sanmugarajah Kamalanandarajah Unnichchai
Saamiththambi Thangaratnam Unnichchai
Sathaasivam Pushpaavathi Unnichchai
Amirthalingam Chanthira Unnichchai
Sellaiah Rani Unnichchai
Pathmanathan Kowsalathevi Unnichchai
Sivakumar Manjula Kannanguda
Eeswaran Rojini Unnichchai
Thavarasa Uthara Unnichchai
Kanapathippillai Pakavathi Unnichchai
Sathikularajah Sridevi Vavunatheevu
Theiventhiran Pushparani Vavunatheevu
Azhakappodi Sathiyanantham Vavunatheevu
Paakiyarasa Paventhan Vavunatheevu
Thangavadivel Jegakaran Vavunatheevu
Muthusaamy Raamaayi Vavunatheevu
Jayatheepa Patmasiri Chenkaladi
Ashila Niroshini Dandeniya Beliatta
Sandya Eknaligoda Pannipitiya, Homagama
Mauri Jayasena
Sithie Yameena
Konkaduwa gamage Karunawathi Beliatta
Leelawathi Rathnayaka Beliatta
K.D. Sisiliyana Hakmana
L. Hewawalasmulla Hakmana
S Rajakumari Kolavil
T. Nesamma Kolavil
V. Thiruchelvam Kolavil
E. Parameswari Kolavil
V. Manonmani Kolavil
V. Annasornam Kolavil
T. Manonmani Kolavil
P. Sinnappillai Kolavil
V. Rajeswari Kolavil
K. Kilakki Kolavil
T.Nesarani Kolavil
S. Amaravathi Kolavil
K. Rajany Kolavil
S. Mekala Kolavil
S. Valliyammai Panangadu
S. Ranjinidevi Panangadu
S. Chandira Panangadu
T. Inthiramathi Panangadu
K. Saraswathi Panangadu
K. Valliyammai Panangadu
K. Selvapaakkiyam Panangadu
S. Mallika Panangadu
K. Valliyammai Panangadu
V. Sangupathi Panangadu
S. Bavani Panangadu
K. Karunaiyamma Panangadu
P. Bavani Panangadu
K. Vasanthaadevi Panangadu
K. Nesamma Panangadu
V. Ilaiyamma Panangadu
A Nagamma Panangadu
Thiruppathi Panangadu
S. Letchumippillai Kolavil
A Nyanammaa Kolavil
A Kirubailetchumi Kolavil
N Saroja Kolavil
T. Vissalaatchi Kolavil
N. Saanthalatchumi Kolavil
M. Sutharshini Kolavil
S. Saaviththiri Kolavil
S. Thuvamana Kolavil
T. Ponnammaa Kolavil
M. Mooththathambi Kolavil
I Pavalam Kolavil
K Mayilvakanam Kolavil
S Suntharam Kolavil
I Paakkiyam Kolavil
V Nagamma Kolavil
M Perinparaani Kolavil
K Kaaliyammai Kolavil
S Kirisaambaal Kolavil
V Pooranam Kolavil
K Arasamma Kolavil
M Lalitha Kolavil
V Saraswathi Kolavil
K Kaaranippilai Kolavil
M Kanakammaa Kolavil
V Pushpavathi Kolavil
K Puvaneshwari Kolavil
S Yogeswari Kolavil
A Thirumalar Kolavil
V Sivanesam Kolavil
V Amaraavathi Kolavil
P Maheswari Kolavil
A Ponammaa Kolavil
K Paarvathi Kolavil
M Thavamani Kolavil
A Azhakammaa Kolavil
P. Pathmini Kolavil
K Parameshwari Kolavil
K Thiraisermadanthai Kolavil
S Kannakai Kolavil
M. Parvathi Alaiyadivembu
S Yogamma Alaiyadivembu
K Saraswathi Alaiyadivembu
G Sursika Alaiyadivembu
V Velachchi Alaiyadivembu
K Annaletchumi Alaiyadivembu
M. Sivanaapathi Alaiyadivembu
V Saraswathi Alaiyadivembu
V Arasi Alaiyadivembu
S Kanthimalar Alaiyadivembu
N Dilaksan Alaiyadivembu
K Yogeswari Alaiyadivembu
K Sivanesam Alaiyadivembu
P Kamala Alaiyadivembu
K Kangathevi Alaiyadivembu
K Selvam Pottuvil
S Sellammaa Pottuvil
S Suthaa Pottuvil
V Vasanthaa Pottuvil
T Azhakammaa Pottuvil
S Inthiraani Pottuvil
P Poomani Pottuvil
S Theivaanai Pottuvil
K Pasupathi Pottuvil
K. Savunthari Pottuvil
I Mekalaa Pottuvil
V Rajeswari Pottuvil
K Sinammaa Pottuvil
A Rajeswari Pottuvil
N Kokilarani Sorikkalmunai
A Elisammaa Sorikkalmunai
N Rosalin Pavani Sorikkalmunai
N Vilvarani Sorikkalmunai
S Metralin Sorikkalmunai
N Jamunarani Sorikkalmunai
A P Francikaa Sorikkalmunai
A Loosiyaa Sorikkalmunai
Y Ithayarani Sorikkalmunai
Y Margaret Mary Sorikkalmunai
A Jasinthaa Sorikkalmunai
M Rani Sorikkalmunai
K Loosiyaa Sorikkalmunai
A Mukkaththiresammaa Sorikkalmunai
Y Sakaayameri Sorikkalmunai
M Sakaayameri Sorikkalmunai
A Annaam Sorikkalmunai
K Sebamaalai Sorikkalmunai
J Pushparani Sorikkalmunai
K Puvaneshwari Kannakipuram
P Ananthasothi Kannakipuram
K Paakiyam Kannakipuram
K Valliyammai Kannakipuram
P Parimalakaanthi Kannakipuram
T Valarmathi Kannakipuram
T Nisanthini Kannakipuram
V Kanakammaa Kannakipuram
T. Arulaaki Kannakipuram
T Mary Kannakipuram
I Koneswari Kannakipuram
S Paakiyam Kannakipuram
S Thevathi Kannakipuram
K Ponnammaa Kannakipuram
M Nyanammaa Kannakipuram
Rajendran Kannakipuram
S Malar Kannakipuram
P Muthulingam Kannakipuram
Jeyappiriya Kannakipuram
Saroja Kannakipuram
S Vanasunthari Alaiyadivembu
V Vijayaletchumi Alaiyadivembu
K Asothaiyamma Alaiyadivembu
M Paarvathi Alaiyadivembu
I Parameswari Alaiyadivembu
K Nothiyachelvi Alaiyadivembu
M Rajeswari Alaiyadivembu
K Nesamma Alaiyadivembu
V Yogeswari Alaiyadivembu
K Arulsothi Alaiyadivembu
N Yanaaththini Alaiyadivembu
V Perinparasa Alaiyadivembu
A ponnamma Alaiyadivembu
P Kalaamathi Alaiyadivembu
S Thevananthini Alaiyadivembu
S Saraswathi Alaiyadivembu
V Puvaneswari Alaiyadivembu
T Manipakeswara Alaiyadivembu
N Theivanai Alaiyadivembu
K Ambika Alaiyadivembu
M Thangamuthu Navatkadu
S Santhira Navatkadu
R Potchelvi Navatkadu
N Mekala Navatkadu
A Ponnammaa Navatkadu
P Logeswari Navatkadu
V Palippodi Navatkadu
P Thambirasa Navatkadu
S Valliyamma Navatkadu
Y Parvathi Navatkadu
S Visaya Navatkadu
N Saraswathi Navatkadu
P Sivakami Navatkadu
K Thirumanjanam Navatkadu
A Manonmani Navatkadu
M Thavamani Navatkadu
K Theivanai Navatkadu
K Selavakumari Navatkadu
P Santhirakala Navatkadu
K Puvaneswari Navatkadu
S Sellamma Panangadu
K Navarani Panangadu
M Parameswari Panangadu
P Koneswari Panangadu
P Jeyanthakumari Panangadu
K Navananthini Panangadu
V Letchumi Panangadu
S Santhini Panangadu
S Azhakamma Panangadu
A Parameswari Panangadu
K valliyammai Panangadu
T puwaneswari Panangadu
T Bavani Panangadu
K THanapaakkiyam Panangadu
S Santhimani Panangadu
S Anpurasa Panangadu
Nalini Panangadu
S Poomani Panangadu
M Supaththira Panangadu
K Vigneswari Panangadu
K Rosammaa Panangadu
V Kirisaa Panangadu
S Nesammaa Panangadu
I Kanakammaa Panangadu
I Saraswathi Panangadu
A Puvaneswari Panangadu
S Ponnaiah Panangadu
K Raasamma Panangadu
A Rainalojini Panangadu
K Sivakozhunthu Panangadu
P Thivegika Panangadu
V Letchumi Panangadu
K Puvaneswari Panangadu
K Poomani Panangadu
K Saraswathi Panangadu
M Vijendra Panangadu
K Malathi Panangadu
Y Ithayarani Panangadu
T Thavamalar Panangadu
