A group of United States lawmakers have written to the US State Department urging renewed action on accountability for atrocities committed against the Tamil people, including international investigations into genocide, and support for the right of Eelam Tamils to self-determination through a democratic referendum.
The intervention comes as Tamils marked Thai Pongal and follows last year’s uncovering of a mass grave at Chemmani in the Tamil homeland, where approximately 240 human skeletons, including those of children, were found.
The discovery has reignited demands for international accountability and justice for crimes committed by the Sri Lankan state.
Congressman Herb Conaway confirmed the initiative in a public statement this week, saying:
“As Tamils celebrate Tamil Pongal, I led 4 of my colleagues in a letter to State Department urging them to support Eelam Tamils’ right to self-determination through a democratic referendum and for international accountability for war crimes committed during the Sri Lankan War.”
The letter, dated 21 January 2026 and addressed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expresses “deep concern regarding the mass grave discovered in Chemmani,” describing it as a “painful reminder of atrocities committed” during the war against the Tamil people.
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The lawmakers note that the conflict, resulted in widespread human rights violations, including the death and disappearance of tens of thousands of Tamils. Referring to the final months of the war, the letter states that between 70,000 and 147,000 Tamils were presumed to have been killed.
The discovery of the Chemmani grave, they argue, must “prompt us to demand justice and accountability for all victims and their families”.
The letter outlines a series of specific demands directed at the US administration, including:
• Advocacy for the rights of Tamils to ensure they are treated with “respect and dignity”.
• Protection of the Eelam Tamils’ right to self-determination and endorsement of “a universally accepted democratic process of referendum to find a permanent political solution based on their rights”.
• Support for international investigations and accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses committed during the war, including an examination of whether genocide was committed.
• Use of US global leadership to promote independent judicial proceedings.
The lawmakers emphasise that accountability is not only a moral imperative but a necessary step towards stability, non-recurrence, and lasting peace on the island.
The letter also highlights Sri Lanka’s strategic location near major global shipping routes, arguing that long-term stability cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of conflict, including entrenched impunity and denial of Tamil political rights.
It recalls that under the previous US administration, lawmakers had already urged the State Department to advocate for Tamil rights, support comprehensive international investigations, and leverage US leadership within the United Nations. The authors stress that the change in leadership in Washington should not dilute these commitments.
As Tamils celebrate Tamil Pongal, I led 4 of my colleagues in a letter to State Department urging them to support Eelam Tamils’ right to self-determination through a democratic referendum and for international accountability for war crimes committed during the Sri Lankan War. pic.twitter.com/VhtthYoz8o
— Congressman Herb Conaway (@RepHerbConaway) January 21, 2026