Sri Lanka: Sustained and collective efforts are critical to address the issue of missing persons

In Sri Lanka, thousands of families of missing persons from all communities across the country are still waiting for answers. Families of missing persons have the right to know what has happened to their loved ones. Unable to grieve, find closure or rebuild their lives, these families often struggle to meet the emotional, economic, legal, administrative, and social challenges posed by the absence of their missing loved one and the uncertainty that comes with it.

Addressing the needs of families of missing persons is a complex, multi-faceted process. Families are key partners and rights-holders and they are at the heart of this process. While national authorities have the primary responsibility to address their needs, local stakeholders can contribute to a broader, sustained response by building a comprehensive framework of support to address the diverse needs of families. Central to this is the search itself, a vital step toward the clarification of the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, involving collaborative action by multiple stakeholders.

Presently in Sri Lanka, the ICRC implements the Missing Persons Project which aims to foster a sustainable response to the issue of missing persons by supporting families, strengthening national and local capacities and enabling coordinated, state-led and community-based efforts to clarify the fate and whereabouts of the missing.

Addressing the issue of missing persons is also crucial for peace and reconciliation. Unresolved cases can perpetuate trauma, deepen grievances and hinder community healing long after violence has ended. Sustained political commitment is necessary to resolve the issue in the long-term, even decades after an armed conflict.

About the ICRC:

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to relieve suffering and preserve human dignity during war and armed violence. Alongside our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, we deliver life-saving aid across front lines and strive to reconnect families and locate missing people.

Engaging with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, we advocate for humane treatment of detainees and urge compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm, including online.