Today’s Update on the Chemmani Mass Grave (25 July 2025)

Edited by: Wimal Navaratnam, Human Rights Activist

Ongoing Excavations

Excavations at the Chemmani–Siththupaththi Hindu Cemetery continue under Sri Lankan court supervision. To date, forensic teams have identified 90 skeletal units, with 81 fully exhumed over 29 workdays and 16 complete skeletons unearthed just this week.

In the most recent phase (20 days in), two designated forensic zones—Site 01 and Site 02—yielded two new sets of remains and the full excavation of five additional skeletons. Clearing operations in surrounding areas suggest more graves may be uncovered in the coming days.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) formally took over site investigations on 24 July, replacing local Jaffna police oversight. Early reports note disputes arose at the dig when CID officers arrived, though details remain scarce.

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Forensic Findings

Personal items interred with the remains provide poignant clues: children’s toys, glass bangles, fragments of cloth, and even a milk-feeding bottle found alongside a suspected child’s skeleton. Such artifacts underscore the inclusion of infants and young children among the victims.

Preliminary forensic analysis indicates many remains bear signs inconsistent with traditional burials—suggesting possible torture or execution methods. All exhumed skeletons and associated evidence are now stored at the University of Jaffna’s Forensic and Anthropology Unit for detailed study.

Experts emphasize the need for international forensic involvement to bolster credibility. Families and NGOs continue pressing for specialists with mass-grave experience to ensure the integrity and transparency of identifications and cause-of-death determinations.

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Legal Proceedings

The Jaffna Magistrate Court retains jurisdiction over the excavation, having designated the site a formal crime scene. Judicial Medical Officers (JMOs), government archaeologists, and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO) oversee daily digs and evidence collection.

Next court hearing is set for 6 August, where interim forensic reports and motions—such as formal access for international observers—will be considered. Lawyers for victims have already secured permission for UN High Commissioner Volker Türk to visit, overcoming earlier police objections.

Civil society and legal advocates are urging stricter site access controls to prevent misinformation and ensure chain of custody. A court-approved roster now limits on-site observers, and all photography requires judicial sign-off to protect the integrity of evidence.

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Political and Social Implications

Local and diaspora activists remain deeply engaged. On 23–25 June, the “Anaiya Vilakku” vigil near Chemmani lit a symbolic flame demanding UN and international oversight, coinciding with Volker Türk’s June visit and his call to break Sri Lanka’s “impunity trap”.

Protests in Colombo on 17 July brought together human rights groups and Tamil political parties, highlighting frustration over unfulfilled government promises of accountability. Demonstrators demanded adherence to international forensic standards and the involvement of the Sri Lanka Accountability Project under the UN Human Rights Council resolution.

The renewed excavations have reignited debates over transitional justice. While the National People’s Power coalition pledges to pursue wartime atrocity investigations, critics argue that without high-level prosecutions and transparent processes, Sri Lanka risks perpetuating denial and impunity.

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What Comes Next

• DNA matching efforts and victim identification protocols are expected to be announced before the August hearing.
• International forensic teams may seek formal invitations to support JMO analyses and evidence preservation.
• The UN Accountability Project’s mandate could be renewed at the upcoming Human Rights Council session, potentially opening avenues for universal-jurisdiction cases.
• Community outreach programs are planned to support families of the disappeared, integrating psychosocial care with legal aid initiatives.

For continued coverage, keep an eye on official court filings, forensic unit bulletins, and statements from the UN High Commissioner’s office.

     In solidarity,

     Wimal Navaratnam

     Human Rights Advocate | ABC Tamil Oli (ECOSOC)

      Email: tamilolicanada@gmail.com