President Maithripala Sirisena signed the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) Act a short while ago.

 ‘I signed the Office of Missing Persons Act today. This marks another step forward in Sri Lanka's path to sustained peace,' the President tweeted, announcing his decision.

There was strong outcry - especially from the Buddhist clergy - against the OMP Act saying it would betray the military personnel who fought during the final phase of war. 

The OMP bill was passed in the House in line with Sri Lanka's commitments to the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

The bill was presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and was passed by the House unanimously.