On the final phase of the project for government officers of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CLFI), four training programmes were held in Matara, Jaffna, Mannar and Batticaloa. Understanding the theoretical and practical concepts of pluralism and inclusivity, transitional justice, non-violent-communication and empathy aimed at bridging the gaps identified in earlier activities.

Looking at the example of participants who have lost confidence in the process, been continually frustrated and dissatisfied and even felt mistreated as humans, the training programmes hoped to
change this perception of the OMP service delivery cycle. For ground level government officers, the path for serving victim families better is a long one; conducting both review meetings and training programmes can be seen as the first step for improvement. Rebuilding trust, faith and confidence requires re-connecting members of missing families with the OMP service delivery cycle carried out by government officers. Engaging with both sides has shown that areas such as commitment by top leadership, psychosocial support, improved coordination with other directly connected departments, uniform procedures and practices and building trust have the potential for positive change.

During the concluding session in Mannar, a government official said that too many workshops and trainings were being conducted and it would be better to do something else. She said her brother and sister had been taken away during the war and she never saw them again. Every time there was a workshop on missing persons she remembered the past.