More members of the United States Congress have voiced support for Tamil demands for justice following the discovery of mass graves in Chemmani, as pressure mounts on Sri Lanka to allow an international investigation into atrocities committed during the armed conflict.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission stated,
“Another mass grave has been discovered in Chemmani. The Sri Lankan government must place the rights of victims and their families at the forefront of its investigation and engage with the int’l community to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.”
Another mass grave has been discovered in Chemmani. The Sri Lankan government must place the rights of victims and their families at the forefront of its investigation and engage with the int'l community to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. https://t.co/akNUWiLeEF
— Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (@TLHumanRights) September 11, 2025
Congresswoman Summer Lee highlighted the horrific evidence uncovered at the site, where hundreds of skeletal remains, including those of children, have been exhumed.
“The mass graves discovered in Chemmani included a baby bottle, schoolbags, and children’s toys among the 141 skeletons,” she tweeted.
“This is yet another reminder of the terrible atrocities committed against the Tamil people. We must continue to demand an independent investigation to finally move towards justice and accountability.”
The mass graves discovered in Chemmani included a baby bottle, schoolbags, and children's toys among the 141 skeletons. This is yet another reminder of the terrible atrocities committed against the Tamil people.
— Rep. Summer Lee (@RepSummerLee) September 15, 2025
We must continue to demand an independent investigation to finally… https://t.co/iZuSstNjFY
The calls follow earlier interventions by other US lawmakers urging Sri Lanka to accept international assistance in the excavation and identification process, amid widespread concerns that domestic mechanisms lack credibility and independence.
To date, over 240 skeletal remains have been unearthed at Chemmani, including evidence of overlapping skeletons, pointing to systematic extrajudicial killings carried out during the Sri Lankan military’s occupation of Jaffna in the 1990s. Despite the evidence, Colombo continues to reject international involvement, insisting that investigations will be handled domestically.
For decades, Tamils have maintained that accountability cannot be delivered through Sri Lanka’s institutions, which have repeatedly failed to prosecute perpetrators of mass atrocities. The Chemmani graves remain emblematic of those demands, with Tamil families calling for the International Criminal Court and foreign forensic experts to take over the process.
The latest statements from US lawmakers add to the growing global demand for justice, in stark contrast to Colombo’s ongoing refusal to permit any international role.
