Tamil families of the disappeared held large scale demonstrations in Jaffna and Batticaloa calling for international accountability as they marked International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
Protesters reaffirmed their calls for an international investigation into the Tamil genocide, the fate of those forcibly disappeared and the Chemmani mass graves.
The protests were led by the Tamil families of the disappeared, who have been campaigning for years to know what happened to their relatives that were forcibly disappeared by Sri Lanka's armed forces. Despite their longstanding protests, successive Sri Lankan governments have failed to meaningfully investigate their concerns or provide answers about those who were disappeared during the armed conflict.
The current Sri Lankan government have rejected any international mechanisms that will investigate the Tamil genocide and enforced disappearances. Instead, they have claimed that they will use domestic mechanisms to deliver justice.
However, Tamils in the North-East have rejected domestic mechanisms as they have repeatedly failed to provide answers or accountability.
Jaffna
Today, Tamils marched from Kittu Park and headed to Chemmani, where mass graves are currently being excavated.
The protest saw the participation of university students, political parties and civil society organisations.
Batticaloa
A rally was also held in Batticaloa, where protesters demonstrated from Kallady Bridge to Gandhi Park, to urge the international community to launch an investigation into the crimes committed against the Tamil nation by the Sri Lankan state.
