A key petitioner in the Chemmani mass grave case has raised serious concerns over his safety, citing ongoing intimidation as excavations at the site continue to uncover further evidence of atrocities committed by Sri Lankan state forces.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mr Kirubakaran, a member of the Sindhubaththi Hindu Cemetery Committee and the primary petitioner in the case, said that unidentified vehicles had been loitering near his residence in what he described as a clear attempt to intimidate him and silence the pursuit of justice.
Reflecting on the climate of fear that gripped the Tamil homeland during the height of Sri Lankan military control, particularly between 1995 and 2000, Kirubakaran stated that survivors had been unable to come forward with testimonies due to threats and repression. However, he noted that in recent weeks, several residents had approached him to share accounts of what happened at Chemmani, acts of courage he believes are now being targeted by renewed efforts to suppress the truth.
Kirubakaran also reported seeing a suspicious vehicle entering an army camp near Ponnambalam Junction in Jaffn - an area close to the 15th burial site identified by Sri Lankan soldier Somaratne Rajapakse in 1998. The site lies adjacent to the current excavation area at the Sindhubaththi Hindu Cemetery, where dozens of skeletal remains have been unearthed, including those of children.
Despite the mounting threats, Kirubakaran affirmed his commitment to the ongoing pursuit of justice for the Tamil people. He vowed not to be deterred by fear, stating that truth and accountability must prevail.
The Chemmani mass grave, long identified as a site of atrocity, has once again drawn international attention following the recent discovery of at least 47 skeletal remains. Tamil families and rights organisations have renewed calls for international oversight of the excavation, citing concerns over the Sri Lankan state's continued impunity and intimidation of witnesses.
