Comparison between REPPIA and Office for Reparation:-Remedy for the missing
Rehabilitation of Persons, Properties and Industries Authority (REPPIA) was established in 1987, in consequent to the 1983 July riots, by an Act of Parliament No. 29 of 1987. The objective of REPPIA is to assist in the rehabilitation of affected persons through compensation. As provided by law, REPPIA provides financial assistance to affected persons, properties and industries.
REPPIA is mandated to provide compensation to persons affected by conflicts such as wars and/or riots. It has taken a broad range of activities to rehabilitate the persons affected by the conflicts and restore their lives. For instance, REPPIA has implemented various loan schemes for housing, self-employment and cultivation. In addition to the assistance given to the individuals, it has undertaken a few rehabilitation programmes for affected communities.
Though the REPPIA has succeeded in reimbursing conflict affected persons, it is not mandated to provide reparations, which are payments of time, effort and/or money to undo past transgression(s). In addition to a limited mandate vis-à-vis time, the REPPIA is unable to provide reparations because it provides limited forms of remedies; it is vulnerable to political influence; allocated limited funding; has a conventional compensation scheme; and, only recognizes limited types of harms.
Limited mandate vis-à-vis time
The REPPIA is not authorised to provide compensation to the persons affected by conflicts prior to the enactment of the REPPIA Act (1987). Therefore, victims from the JVP insurgencies of 1976 and 1981 cannot be provided with compensation.
Limited forms of remedies available
Reparations are more than compensation. It includes five elements such as restitution, rehabilitation, compensation, satisfaction and non-recurrence. The REPPIA Act does not empower the REPPIA to facilitate the all five elements of the reparations. For example, the REPPIA is not mandated to facilitate memorialisation. Moreover, the REPPIA cannot provide collective reparations.
Political influence via appointments
REPPIA is mandated to provide compensation to persons affected by conflicts such as wars and/or riots. It has taken a broad range of activities to rehabilitate the persons affected by the conflicts and restore their lives. For instance, REPPIA has implemented various loan schemes for housing, self-employment and cultivation. In addition to the assistance given to the individuals, it has undertaken a few rehabilitation programmes for affected communities.
Though the REPPIA has succeeded in reimbursing conflict affected persons, it is not mandated to provide reparations, which are payments of time, effort and/or money to undo past transgression(s). In addition to a limited mandate vis-à-vis time, the REPPIA is unable to provide reparations because it provides limited forms of remedies; it is vulnerable to political influence; allocated limited funding; has a conventional compensation scheme; and, only recognizes limited types of harms.Limited mandate vis-à-vis time
The REPPIA is not authorised to provide compensation to the persons affected by conflicts prior to the enactment of the REPPIA Act (1987). Therefore, victims from the JVP insurgencies of 1976 and 1981 cannot be provided with compensation.
Limited forms of remedies available
Reparations are more than compensation. It includes five elements such as restitution, rehabilitation, compensation, satisfaction and non-recurrence. The REPPIA Act does not empower the REPPIA to facilitate the all five elements of the reparations. For example, the REPPIA is not mandated to facilitate memorialisation. Moreover, the REPPIA cannot provide collective reparations.
Political influence via appointments
