Situation during the visit A/HRC/33/51/Ad d.2 Measures taken/current situation Level of implementation and observations (to be completed by the WGEID) Sinhalese journalist, Prageeth Eknaligoda, who was abducted by security forces and disappeared 14 .However, in May 2019 Gnanasara was released from jail after receiving a presidential pardon. This has left Sandya Eknaligoda, the wife of the journalist, herself named in 2017 as an International Woman of Courage by the US Government15, living in fear. Legislation 78. The Working Group recommends that the Government of Sri Lanka: (a) Recognize the competence of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of individuals subject to its jurisdiction, in accordance with article 31 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; Government Pursuant to the ratification of Enforced Disappearances Convention in 2016, Sri Lanka enacted enabling legislation in March 2018. Following this recent enactment of legislation, efforts will be initially focused on strengthening domestic mechanisms to implement the legislation. For example, the new legislation sets out a range of remedies for victims of certain offences. The government accordingly wishes to prioritise the strengthening of domestic institutions relevant to these remedies. It is the considered view of the GoSL that the timing of Sri Lanka’s declaration under Article 31 of ICPED needs to be decided in consideration of the processes that are being set in motion by the Government to implement the ICPED Act, and following a careful analysis of the effectiveness of such processes. OMP Sri Lanka is yet to submit a declaration with respect to Article 31 of the Convention. Amnesty No update. Amnesty International wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in August 2018 urging the government to recognise the competence of the CED to receive and consider communication from or on behalf of victims in accordance with Article 31. Amnesty International has not received a response. Families of the Disappeared The government recognizes the competence of the WG but not with a strong political will. But still they stand saying that they will cooperate with the UNHRC and WG. 14 15 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44479610 https://lk.usembassy.gov/sandya-eknelygoda-international-woman-courage/ The Working Group reiterates its recommendation for Sri Lanka to recognize the competence of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of individuals subject to its jurisdiction without delay. A/HRC/42/40/Add.1 18 Recommendations A/HRC/33/51/Add.2