Tamil families of the disappeared staged a protest in Mullaitivu today, marking International Women’s Day as a black day of mourning and demanding answers from the Sri Lankan government. For the eighth consecutive year, these families find themselves in anguish, with no resolution in sight regarding the fate of their loved ones.

Led by Mariyasuresh Eswari, Chairperson of the Mullaitivu District Association of the Families of the Disappeared, protesters gathered to voice their frustrations and sorrow. "Our children were abducted in broad daylight, picked up by the army, and vanished into undisclosed locations," Ewari lamented during a media briefing. "We demand justice, but instead, we face harassment and intimidation from government agencies."

The protest, organised by the Mullaitivu families of the disappeared, culminated in a march to the District Secretariat. Despite their ongoing struggle, Eswari expressed hope that international attention would eventually bring justice. "We will not receive the justice we deserve from Sri Lanka," she declared.

The plight of these families is compounded by recent developments concerning the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave. Last week, the Mullaitivu Judicial Medical Officer informed the court that excavation efforts had halted due to a lack of government funding. Dr. Kanagasbapathy Vasudeva, the JMO, confirmed that the bodies of 40 individuals, buried hastily between 1994 and 1996, were discovered at the site.

"The remains were buried without religious rites, underscoring the urgency of our quest for answers," Dr. Vasudeva stated. "We have urged the government to release funds for further investigations, but progress remains stalled."

Frustrations are mounting as the case faces continual delays. The lack of funding has not only hindered forensic investigations but also exacerbated the anguish of families awaiting closure. The next hearing, scheduled for April 4th, hangs in uncertainty, pending government action.