ON THE SPOT LIGHT : A Factual analysis of Disappearances and Abductions
Since the end of war Sri Lanka has continuously been in the lime light of the world. Recently GROUNDVIEWS website published a report on disappearances/abductions in Sri Lanka. The general public has the right to know the truth.
To verify the truth it is imperative to delve deep into the matter before jumping into hasty conclusions.
To put the record straight and clarify the many contentious issues associated with it, it is pertinent to look close into this issue. When a person or persons go missing, the law enforcement authorities are made aware of it by those near and dear to him or her. With the information thus received authorities will begin investigations.
According to investigations thus conducted many interesting facts have been unearthed. As reported by the above source 56 persons have disappeared within the period of October 2011 and March 2012.
Of the 56 purportedly disappeared only 18 have been reported as actually missing. Law enforcement authorities have carried out extensive investigations into these disappearances and come up with starling information about these individuals and their dealings. Interestingly most of these figures are underworld characters involved in organized crime, drug trade, extortion, kidnapping and such anti social activities. Fifteen of these 18 individuals are suspected to posses criminal backgrounds.
Investigations have revealed that of the 56 reportedly missing cases 17 are false allegations. S Roshan, a student was allegedly reported as missing from February 2012 and authorities have found no evidence of any person missing on the said period or location. The same goes for the case of the reported disappearance of three ‘Veddah’ youth from Dehiattakandiya in March 2012. Four un-named ex-LTTE cadres were reported as missing between February and March 2012. And upon investigations it was found to be fallacious. No any incidents have been reported to the Police or any other authorities so far.
Six persons have been arrested by Police and Excise Department for various offences. Sanjeewa Alwis alias Thalawathugoda Suda was arrested by police with two of his associates in December 2011 for illegal possession of a weapon and involvement in armed robbery and organized crime. They had been produces to courts and investigations are continuing.
One person reported as missing has committed suicide due to personal reasons. Ten persons reported as missing have later been found. Authorities have taken into custody some individuals involved in the abduction of Korala Arachchige Santha who was subsequently found. Legal proceedings have been mooted against these perpetrators. Law and order authorities are continuing their investigations.
Janaka Priyantha Fernando alias Maalu Priyantha went missing on March 2012. Maalu Priyantha is a suspected underworld gang leader and also murder suspect. He has a case is pending at the Colombo high court. Ruwan Chandimal Depp alias Navy Ruwan, a known criminal and drug dealer was reported missing on December 2011. He had legal cases pending for the illegal possession of fire arms and drug related offences in Awissawella and Kaduwela courts. Their disappearance is believed to be the result of gangland war. The same fate might have befallen his friend and accomplice Dhammika, also a gangster and drug dealer. He also has a case pending at the Warakapola courts. Authorities are continuing investigations into both cases. Amaratunga Arachchige Don Ajith Kumara and Velautham Chandrapala Methiyas alias Mervin went missing in February 2012. Ajith Kumara is suspected to be a leader of an underworld gang and Methiyas, a drug dealer is wanted by the Excise Department for several drug related cases. Authorities suspect rival gangs might have had a hand in their disappearance. Dhammika Pradeep alias karate Dhammika another infamous criminal who is accuses of murder, attempted murder, organized crime and drug pushing went missing in October 2011. He also has legal proceedings in Kaduwela and Wellampitiya courts.
The law and order authorities are continuing their investigations on reported incidents with professionalism and transparency. R A Dinesh Buddhika went missing on January 2012 in Grandpass, Colombo. His dead body was later found in Totalanga in Colombo. Buddhika is a notorious criminal and member of an organized crime gang. Dinesh Indika Chandrasiri Silva went missing on December 2011 from Minuwangoda. Later his body was found at Kotadeniyawa. As a result of swift investigations by the Authorities a suspect has already been to under police custody. So far 05 bodies of those who were reported as missing have been recovered.
Produced below is a summary of findings from investigations conducted by the authorities
It becomes more obvious if one is to study the various reports originating from these sources that most reports on disappearances made are vague and upon investigations by relevant authorities, found to be baseless and false. The more reflective quarters of the citizenry can therefore comprehend the motives behind these reports.
In reality there are only a few genuine cases which warrant extensive investigations
Sri Lanka as a nation which has come out of a three decade long terrorist conflict has shown remarkable progress in maintaining law and order. During the conflict as the LTTE massacred thousands of innocent civilians including children and women in cold blood. The fate of many hundreds who went missing is yet to be known. It is astounding to see that these organizations which go on a witch hunt accusing the government over the disappearance of criminals and gangsters failed to see the atrocities committed by the LTTE.
Is it sheer ignorance in reporting or do these organizations operate with ulterior motives to achieve their hidden agendas.
The quarters which forward these unsubstantiated allegations accuse the state of being responsible for the disappearances of these individuals. The credibility of these reports is highly questionable. They do not check the veracity of their sources before pointing the finger at the state exhibits their unprofessionalism. Reports of this nature made with ulterior motives to mislead the international community and thereby bring disgrace to Sri Lanka.
