Financial constraints hit HRC operations - Commissioner

Cash strapped Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, the country's human rights watchdog, yesterday warned that financial constraints could hinder its operations as disappearances mount in the North and Capital Colombo.

Commissioner Justice D. Jayawickrame said the HRC was faced with serious financial constraints. "Some of our officers work without a proper salary,' he said.

He said unless the Commission is adequately funded, it could not carry out its mandate. The HRC had received 368 complaints of disappearances from Jaffna by the end of August.

Justice Jayawickrame said the whereabouts of 123 people have been traced most of them found in police custody- and their families have been informed. The HRC is investigating the whereabouts of 245 people who are still missing in Jaffna. Of the 245 complaints, 62 cases have been lodged against Security Forces personnel.

The greater portion of complaints (183) have been lodged against the LTTE and anti-LTTE political parties in Jaffna.

"We are alarmed at the ever increasing number of abductions in Jaffna and Colombo," said Justice Jayawickrame.

"But, we can do little, specially when the LTTE is the abductor." He, however, said despite the media reports of abductions in Colombo, no complaint has been lodged at the HRC.

"That is unusual. There are abductions, but there are no complaints," he said.

"Residents in Jaffna come to the office and lodge complaints. We advise people in Colombo to contact us on our Colombo hotline (2689064)," he said.