Tamil families of the disappeared demand justice before more survivors pass away

Tamil families of the disappeared staged a protest in front of the Vavuniya Old Bus Stand this week, renewing their longstanding call for justice as the number of elderly survivors continues to dwindle.

Organised by the Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappeared, the demonstration showcased the grief and anger at the Sri Lankan state’s continued failure to provide answers or accountability for their abducted loved ones. Most of the protesters were women, many of whom have led the frontline of this years-long struggle. Their message was direct: justice must be delivered before more of them pass away without knowing the fate of their loved ones.

“While we have been continuously fighting for justice for ourselves, we have lost more than 300 relatives,” said one demonstrator. “They died without knowing the truth. We, the remaining witnesses, deserve to see justice in our lifetimes.”

The Association condemned the Sri Lankan government’s persistent inaction and refusal to investigate enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, both during and after the armed conflict. “The government, which is unable or unwilling to investigate the military and police forces responsible for these atrocities, is deceiving the Tamil community,” they said.

For years, Tamil families across the North-East have campaigned against the state’s use of enforced disappearances, many of which occurred in the final stages of the armed conflict and in its immediate aftermath. Thousands of Tamils, including those who surrendered to the military in May 2009, remain missing to this day.

The protesters issued a renewed appeal to the international community, particularly the United Nations. “We demand that justice be provided for us through an international justice mechanism, at least at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session,” they declared.

The protest in Vavuniya comes amid ongoing calls for international accountability for the genocide committed by the Sri Lankan state. With more than 300 relatives already having passed away without receiving answers, the urgency of their demand continues to grow.