Disappearance

As a family we lived amidst many challenges in the past few years never wanting to leave the peninsula which will always be our home. Even though we witnessed very many battles in the Peninsula, we always felt safe living as a family. Who will want to harm anyone of us. My husband’s and my solace were the five children we have and to provide the best we could. My husband was a social worker and a very close accomplice of Fr Jim Brown. When I use to complain of the hardship we are facing to my husband, he would always say that you should be happy atleast I am around to take care of you and the children since there are so many who are being shot and disappearing without a trace in the recent past. He always mentioned that he felt very safe being with Fr Jim Brown.

On the fateful day of Auf 08 2006, my husband left to Allaipiddy along with Fr Jim Brown. Fr Jim Brown is a renowned social worker and known by everyone in and outside the peninsula. I too felt that my husband will always be safe working with Fr Jim Brown. Like any other day, he left home and in the evening, when he did not return, I panicked as it was close to curfew time. Usually he is back home early to be indoors for the curfew. However, on this particular day he did not return nor Fr Jim Brown. Even at that moment I never thought they would have disappeared. According to some eyewitnesses they were seen last at the Allaipitty junction, between1.50- 2.30Pm.

The following day and thereafter, reality did strike me. The most feared occurrence in the peninsula has knocked at my door – my husband has disappeared along with a most prominent individual in the Peninsula. Everyone is talking of the disappearance of Father Jim with no reference at all to my husband who was with him. He is a father of five children. How on earth can I go on living. Who will answer to the barrage of questions of my children. They still await his arrival. How long can I lie to them? I have done everything possible to trace my husband with no result. I made complaints at HRC, ICRC, & Kayts police station, but I did not get any information through these entries. The investigation and judgment on this case had been postponed, as the witness failed to be present at the courts at Kayts. Earlier, the family had made a compliant at the Kayts police station.

I am now surviving on a meager income off a wayside boutique helped to be put up by a farther. I urge relevant authorities to investigate into his disappearance.

Full Name: – Vincent Vimalathas – Mary Sharmila
Permanent Address: – 25,Sematry Road, Navanthurai Jaffna
Presently living at R.C. Camp, Navanthurai