Australian High Commissioner assures families of the disappeared

21-Jan-2026

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Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth has assured the Association of Relatives of Enforced Disappearances in the North and East that he will raise with the President the concerns held by families regarding the functioning of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP).

The assurance was given during a meeting held on Jan 14 at the Jetwing Hotel in Jaffna between the High Commissioner and a delegation including the Association’s Secretary, A. Leeladevi.

During the discussion, the representatives highlighted the continued denial of justice and accountability for their forcibly disappeared relatives. They also expressed deep mistrust in the OMP, which they described as ineffective despite being presented as a domestic accountability mechanism.

They questioned why President Anura Kumara Dissanayake—who came to power promising change and justice—had not consulted them before taking steps to strengthen the OMP, arguing that this made him no different from previous presidents.

The delegation also rejected suggestions that Sri Lanka adopt a Truth and Reconciliation Commission similar to South Africa’s, stating that the contexts of the two countries are fundamentally different and that such a model would be unsuitable for Sri Lanka.

Responding, the High Commissioner pledged to convey their concerns to the President and asked what type of mechanism the affected parties would prefer instead.

The families reiterated that they had lost faith in domestic mechanisms and insisted that, if any such mechanisms are to be established, all members must be appointed with the direct involvement and approval of victims.