Reports suggest that the Office of the Interim Secretary for Truth and Reconciliation, established under the former president’s administration, has ceased its operations. A circular issued from the Presidential Secretariat indicates that the contracts of all officials employed in this office have been terminated, signalling a possible end to its activities.
These officials had been appointed temporarily for a limited period, with the office’s primary task being to assist in gathering input for the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Director-General of the office, President’s Counsel Asanga Gunawansa, resigned following the appointment of the new President, and subsequent decisions have resulted in the termination of the remaining staff members as well.
Under the previous government, a draft bill to establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had been gazetted, with the Interim Secretariat actively holding consultations with various stakeholders, including the general public, officials, and military personnel across the country. These meetings gathered opinions on the proposed commission and the truth and reconciliation process. Additionally, discussions were held with leading civil society organizations and activists, both in Colombo and in the regions.
The Interim Secretary’s office also conducted a special study on transitional justice processes in other countries and began drafting guidelines and procedures for the proposed commission. The office was originally set up following the approval of a cabinet paper presented by the former Foreign Affairs Minister and the Minister of Justice.
However, it remains unclear whether the office will be entirely dissolved. There has been no official statement from the government on the future of this office, though decisions have been made to discontinue other offices, such as the National Jana Sabha Secretariat and the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans, both of which were operating under the Presidential Secretariat.
– Dulan Dissanayake
