Mangala urges halt to misleading information over Office for Missing Persons Act

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera yesterday urged his opponents to stop misleading the public by spreading false information about the Office for Missing Persons Act.

Reminding the House about former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s actions, he said: “He was willing to go to hell, not just Geneva, to wipe away the tears of mothers. Our Government got this approved without visiting hell.”

Highlighting the importance of the new legislation for the families of those missing, the Minister said: “This law was required to register the deaths and was long overdue. Loved ones are waiting for their missing but I think providing such certification is important for them. In the absence of this certificate they are unable to access welfare. However, the certificate will become cancelled if the missing person is found to be alive.” AH