Ms Muttetuwegama’s life & work stand as testament to her passionate commitment to human rights and to her deep faith in justice for all: ex CTF members

The former members of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF) expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Chairperson Ms Manouri Muttetuwegama and extended deep sympathies to her family.

“Ms Muttetuwegama's life and work stand as a singular testament to her passionate commitment to human rights and to her deep and abiding faith in justice for all, without fear or favour.,” a collective statement issued by the ex CTF members said.

Before she was the Chairperson of CTF, Ms Muttetuwegama distinguished herself as the Chair of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Involuntary Removal of Disappearance of Persons in the Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the All-Island Commission on Disappearances and as a Commissioner with the Human Rights Commission and the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate and inquire into alleged serious violations of Human Rights.

Many of the critical recommendations made in these Commission reports, which remain largely unimplemented, provide a path to strengthen the rule of law, justice and peace in Sri Lanka, the statement noted.

“Few individuals from civil society and the political realm in Sri Lanka will be remembered for their unique role in the efforts towards providing victims acknowledgment and treating them with dignity, as per of a larger struggle to build confidence between citizen and State,”

“Her life and career were devoted to ensuring that institutions did not humiliate citizens and citizens did not humiliate each other. She will be sorely missed, endearingly remembered and honoured by many for her forthrightness, fighting spirit for the oppressed and her abiding compassion,” the statement added.

The collective statement was signed by former CTF members: Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Visaka Dharmadasa, Prof Sitralega Maunaguru, Dr Farzana Haniffa, Prof Gameela Samarasinghe, Prof Daya Somasundaram, K.W.Janaranjana, Mirak Raheem, Shantha Abhimanasingham PC and Gamini Viyangoda.