Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2018-03-06

Office for Reparations

- Pursuant to the policy decisions as approved by the Cabinet from time to time where gross violation of Human Rights or Humanitarian Law which occurred, in the following instances, the necessity of having an independent institution has been recognized for the purpose of providing reparations for the same:

(i) In the course of the conflict which took place in the Northern and Eastern Provinces in the past or its aftermath; or

(ii) In connection with political or civil disturbances; or

(iii) In the course of systematic violations of the rights of individuals, groups or communities of the people of Sri Lanka; or

(iv) Due to enforced disappearances as defined in the 'International Convention on Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances'.

Therefore, a proposal has been made to establish an 'Office for Reparations' by law to which requests for reparations can be submitted by Sri Lankans belonging to all ethnic and religious groups including the civilians in the adjoining villages who were amidst those conflicts and affected by such incidents and including the families of the Police and the Security Forces. As such, the proposal made by Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, the Prime Minister, to instruct the Legal Draftsman to draft a Bill necessary for the purpose, was approved by the Cabinet.