Government Fears Patriots’ Power, Ignores Mass Graves — Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem accused the government of neglecting the issue of mass graves out of fear of “patriots’” authority.
He criticized the government and the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) for not yet visiting the Semmani mass grave site. Hakeem made these remarks on Wednesday during a parliamentary debate on the Easter Sunday attacks.
Continuing his address, Hakeem stated, “Something deeply concerning is currently happening. Mass graves are being excavated in Semmani, and skeletons are being recovered daily.
News headlines daily report the horrific discovery of children and infants buried with their toys, especially in Tamil newspapers. However, this issue is not given prominence in other newspapers in the south; it’s mentioned briefly in a small corner somewhere.”
He highlighted that Tharinthu Jayawardena, who runs a YouTube channel, has visited the site and investigated the homes of the victims. “But the excavation teams there say that no one from the government side has set foot in that area so far,” Hakeem noted.
“What is the government’s responsibility in this matter? Did officials from the Office on Missing Persons go there? You have powers under the law regarding missing persons.” Hakeem also brought up the thousands of JVP youths killed in the struggle against injustice. “There are many commission reports on this, and information about various mass graves and torture centers. What are you doing about this? No action has even been taken to excavate the mass graves of your own people. Why was the Office on Missing Persons established? Is it just to stand by and watch while our country’s reputation is tarnished before the international community? You have the power to act. Why aren’t you doing it? You are afraid of your ‘patriots’.”
Justice for Easter Attack Victims
Regarding the Easter Sunday attacks, Hakeem stated, “If you are looking for the main mastermind of the Easter Sunday attack, the Presidential Commission report mentions Abu Hind.
There was another ‘Abu’ connected to him, named Baktham Abu, who is from Israel. He provided advice. If Zahran’s wife is properly questioned, these matters can be uncovered.
When the Commission requested to record her testimony, the Attorney General’s Department objected. Eventually, she was questioned, and various details were recorded.”
Hakeem concluded by referencing the President’s recent statement about delivering justice to the victims instead of concealing matters over time.
“The President also said that the government is investigating itself. Reveal who these people are to the country. Don’t try to take medicine without knowing what it is. This government must genuinely act to reveal the truth,” he urged. (UTVNEWS)
MRM. Waseem, Rajadurai Hashan (kesari)