While one year has just passed since the relatives of those who were disappeared started protesting, they have staged a protest at the Killinochchi Kandaswamy Kovil premises today (366th day of their continuous protest).
The representatives from all eight districts in North and East of the organization of the relatives of those who were disappeared, Civil Societies, Political Parties and Organizations from South participated in this attention drawn struggle.
This protest started at 9.30AM continued till 1.00PM. During this protest, Kalaranjini belonging to the organization of the relatives of those who were disappeared
“No solution has been met with though one year has finished since our protest started. The president of this country turned his blind eye on this issue. What we are asking is whether those who were disappeared are alive? If they are alive, where are they? And when will they be released? If those who were disappeared are not alive, what happened to them? The government that is supposed to be responsible has been behaving irresponsibly, which makes us very sad. Two years of time was given by the UN with regard to the issues related to Sri Lanka. Nothing happened so far though one year of this two years of time has finished. The time which was given to Sri Lanka was an attempt of safeguarding Sri Lanka in an international arena. According to us, this two years of time is of no use. Tamil political sections should voice together for our issues beyond their political differences. Also, representatives of the civil societies should voice for us like what they had been doing. International Community also gave its support to the genocide committed to the Tamil people at the final stages of the war. However, in our pathetic plight, International Community would be the final resort to us”, Kalaranjini who is belonging to the organization of the relatives of those who were disappeared stated during this protest.
The placards being carried by the protestors read the following;
“Amendment to the laws with the intent to conceal the crimes committed??”
“We have no hope on domestic mechanisms”
“Office of Missing Persons is eyewash to the International Community”
“International Community! We want justice. Why are offers needed to us, who seek justice?”
“We need international investigation”
