The presidential commission investigating complaints into those who disappeared during the conflict has denied criticism by the Centre for Policy Alternatives that members of the security forces interfered in public meetings where relatives of the missing gave evidence.
Gunadasa said military personnel who were outside the venue were on “routine patrol”, adding that there was “no interference on the part of the security forces” and that the commission was not inconvenienced at any time by the military.
"The Commission regrets the attitude of critics by portraying the Commission negatively in practically everything the Commission is doing including expressing concern of the independence of the Commission by stating that they are extremely concerned of the independence and impartiality in the line of questioning," secretary to the commission HW Gunadasa said, according to the defence ministry.
Responding to criticism that the commission is unable to carry out an independent and transparent inquiry, Gunadasa said the views by the critics “endorse the views of the international community”.
The secretary “urged the critics not to cast doubts on the minds of the Tamil community and relatives of missing persons who have shown their confidence in the commission judging by the large number of persons attending the public sittings.”
Presidential Commission chair dismisses CPA criticism (05 October 2014)
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