Sri Lanka's Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering justice for thousands of families still searching for answers about their disappeared loved ones. OMP Executive Director and Attorney-at-Law Jeganathan Thatparan recently outlined the office's mandate, progress, and the significant challenges it continues to face in pursuing accountability through internationally recognised legal mechanisms. His statements come amid growing public concern over delays, political criticism, and questions surrounding the scope of the OMP's powers.
What Is the OMP and Why Does It Matter?
Established under the Office on Missing Persons Act No. 14 of 2016, the OMP is a constitutionally recognised, independent institution tasked with searching for and tracing missing persons in Sri Lanka. The office primarily addresses cases arising from the country's decades-long civil conflict, as well as enforced disappearances linked to political unrest during the late 1980s. With tens of thousands of families still waiting for answers, the OMP represents one of Sri Lanka's most critical transitional justice mechanisms. Thatparan emphasised that the office operates strictly within internationally recognised legal frameworks, ensuring that its processes align with global standards for truth-seeking and accountability.
Mandate and Scope of the Office
The OMP's mandate extends beyond simply locating missing individuals. The office is empowered to receive complaints, conduct investigations, coordinate with other state institutions, and make recommendations regarding reparations and accountability measures. According to Thatparan, the OMP has received thousands of complaints from families across the country, representing a diverse cross-section of communities affected by conflict and political violence. He stressed that the office's work is not merely administrative but deeply humanitarian, acknowledging the immense emotional burden carried by families who have waited years — and in many cases, decades — for information about their loved ones.
Progress Made and Ongoing Investigations
Despite operating in a complex political environment, the OMP has made measurable progress in several key areas. Data management systems have been strengthened to better track and cross-reference information received from families, state institutions, and other sources. The office has also worked to improve family engagement, recognising that meaningful participation of affected communities is essential to the credibility and effectiveness of its work. Thatparan noted that ongoing investigations continue to yield important leads, though he acknowledged that many cases remain unresolved due to the passage of time, lack of documentation, and limited cooperation from certain quarters.
Challenges in Delivering Justice
The road to justice for Sri Lanka's disappeared is fraught with obstacles. Thatparan was candid about the difficulties the OMP faces, including insufficient resources, bureaucratic hurdles, and the challenge of obtaining information from security forces and other state actors. Political interference and criticism have also hampered the office's ability to function independently. Some critics have argued that the OMP lacks the prosecutorial powers needed to hold perpetrators accountable, while others have questioned whether the institution can truly deliver justice without broader judicial reform. Thatparan responded to these concerns by clarifying that the OMP is a truth-seeking body, not a prosecutorial one, and that its findings can nonetheless serve as a critical foundation for future accountability processes.
Addressing Public Concerns Over Delays
One of the most persistent criticisms directed at the OMP is the perceived slowness of its processes. Families who have waited years for information have expressed frustration at what they see as a lack of urgency. Thatparan acknowledged these concerns with empathy, explaining that thorough and legally sound investigations inherently take time. He emphasised that rushing the process risks compromising the integrity of findings, which could ultimately undermine accountability efforts. The OMP remains committed to transparency and regular communication with affected families to ensure they are kept informed of developments in their individual cases.
The Importance of Internationally Recognised Legal Mechanisms
A central theme in Thatparan's remarks was the necessity of grounding the OMP's work in internationally recognised legal mechanisms. He argued that departing from established international standards — whether due to political pressure or expediency — would fatally undermine the credibility of any justice process. Sri Lanka's international obligations under various human rights treaties, as well as the scrutiny of bodies such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, make adherence to global norms not just a moral imperative but a legal one. Thatparan stressed that only through such frameworks can the findings of the OMP carry the weight necessary to contribute meaningfully to justice and reconciliation.
Looking Ahead
The OMP's work remains unfinished, and the path forward requires sustained political will, adequate resources, and genuine commitment from all stakeholders. For the thousands of families still waiting for answers, the office represents a fragile but vital hope. Thatparan's message was clear: justice for the disappeared is not optional — it is a fundamental obligation that Sri Lanka must honour, both for the dignity of victims and for the future of national reconciliation. Through internationally recognised legal mechanisms, the OMP continues to pursue that goal, one case at a time.