Member of Parliament for Batticaloa District, R. Shanakiyan of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), has condemned the Sri Lankan government for its continued failure to implement basic measures at the Chemmani mass grave, stating that the issue must be brought before the international community.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Batticaloa Press Club on 30 June, Shanakiyan expressed alarm over the ongoing exhumation process in Chemmani, where skeletal remains continue to be uncovered.
“Even after the discovery of remains belonging to 33 individuals, not even basic protective structures such as tents have been erected, nor has any action been taken to preserve the site properly,” he said.
The mass grave at Chemmani, located in the heavily militarised Sindhupaththin area of Jaffna, has long been associated with reports of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings carried out by the Sri Lankan military in the 1990s. Recent exhumations at the site have uncovered dozens of skeletal remains, including those believed to be of children, along with personal belongings such as a blue school bag and a child’s toy.
Shanakiyan warned that despite the gravity of these discoveries, the state’s response has been one of silence and obstruction. “Journalists are granted only five minutes of access to the area,” he said.
The Batticaloa MP also drew a contrast with another mass grave site in Kokkuthoduvai, where at least some protective measures were implemented. The lack of basic site security, he said, raises serious concerns over the integrity and transparency of the process.
Shanakiyan insisted that the Sri Lankan government must take immediate action to safeguard the Chemmani site, calling for a transparent and properly monitored investigation.
His remarks come amid mounting calls from Tamils and international human rights organisations for an independent, international investigation into the Chemmani mass grave. Last week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visited the site during his trip to the island.
Meanwhile, excavations continue at Chemmani under the supervision of the Jaffna Magistrate. The most recent discoveries include the full exhumation of a child’s remains found with a satchel, as well as a toy and single sandal.
