“Why is the IC so keen on disappearances in Sri Lanka?” - Minister Rajitha

(October, 09, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Why is the International Community paying special interest on the thousands disappearances in Sri Lanka while there are greater numbers of disappeared personnel in countries such as Iraq and Kashmir? said Construction Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, he said that the disappearances are only occurring in the North and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka and that human rights violations of the sort were common in the face of an ongoing war.

The Minister also emphasized that the numbers of disappearances have decreased after a government representative committee was set up to inquire in to the matter.

Currently 54 LTTE suspects are being detained at the Boossa Detention Centre for questioning. 150 have been released, the Minister said.