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The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned by the Government of Sri Lanka’s (GOSL) dilution of the primary mandate of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (COI). These concerns arise from the Gazette No.187/18, issued on 15th July 2014 expanding the mandate of the COI, of which the sole purpose was to investigate and inquire into disappearances in the Northern and Eastern Provinces during the period 1st January 1983 to 19th May 2009. CPA has from the inception of the present COI, attended and monitored its public sittings, engaged to ensure grievances of affected communities are given due attention and advocated for structural, administrative and policy changes to advance the long term goals of truth, justice and accountability. CPA fears for the integrity of the COI, in particular, that its primary task of investigating and inquiring into the thousands of missing persons in Sri Lanka will be severely curtailed by the present gazette. CPA therefore urges the authorities to take immediate steps to protect the integrity of the COI by revising the present gazette and introducing much needed structural and policy reform.Read full Press Release here - http://www.cpalanka.org/concerns-on-the-expansion-of-the-mandate-of-the-commission-of-inquiry-to-investigate-into-complaints-regarding-missing-persons/