Rulers Must Demonstrate Political Will: President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma

22-Jan-2026

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Political leaders must demonstrate the political will required to establish and independently operate institutions such as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma. 

He noted that the current government has pledged during elections to deliver justice for crimes committed against freedom of expression.

He made these remarks at the “Black January – Still in Darkness” event held at the Sri Lanka College of Journalism on Jan 19.

Kumarapperuma stated that Sri Lanka has experienced war on three occasions, during which numerous crimes were committed. These include assassinations and enforced disappearances of journalists aimed at suppressing freedom of expression. Only a very small number of such cases have resulted in justice through the courts.

He shared a poignant account conveyed by former Attorney General Saliya Pieris, who also served as head of the Office on Missing Persons. 

A Tamil woman told Pieris that her husband disappeared in 1983 and that she still does not know what happened to him. She said that since her husband’s disappearance, she has continued to wear the kumkum on her forehead, and only by knowing the truth could she decide whether to remove it. She clarified that she was not seeking punishment or compensation.

Many families across the North, East, and South remain unaware of what happened to their loved ones, Kumarapperuma said. Resolving such cases solely through the courts is extremely difficult due to prolonged delays, missing evidence, and lost documentation.

Therefore, he argued that establishing an independent mechanism such as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is appropriate. Political leaders must show the will to create such a mechanism. Although favourable conditions existed between 2015 and 2019, the situation later reversed. 

The current government came to power campaigning on these very injustices and must now demonstrate its capacity to implement the mandate it received, he said.