Semmani Excavation Team & Responsibilities The excavation is being conducted under court supervision with a multidisciplinary team: - Jaffna Magistrate A.A. Anandarajah    Oversees legal compliance and authorizes forensic procedures. - Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Pranavan Sellaiyah    Leads forensic recovery and biological analysis of remains. - Archaeologist Prof . Raj Somadeva    Directs excavation strategy, site mapping, and artifact documentation. - Colombo Forensic Team     Collects soil samples, conducts lab testing, and supports skeletal analysis. - Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha Workers     Initially discovered the remains during construction in February 2025. Equipment Used at the Site The team is using a combination of archaeological and forensic tools : - Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and satellite imagery to identify burial zones  - Trowels, brushes, and sieves for delicate excavation...

Policy Brief: Chemmani Mass Graves and Justice for Eelam Tamils By: Wimal Navaratnam, Human Rights Activist Background: Chemmani Mass Graves in Jaffna  Chemmani is a village on Jaffna’s outskirts that became synonymous with mass graves of Tamil civilians from Sri Lanka’s civil war. The issue first came to light in 1998 during the trial of several Sri Lankan soldiers for the rape and murder of 18-year-old Krishanthi Kumaraswamy and her family. Krishanthi had been stopped at a military checkpoint in Jaffna in September 1996 and later found murdered along with her mother, brother (16), and a neighbor – their bodies hastily buried in shallow graves at Chemmani. During sentencing in July 1998, Lance Corporal Somaratne Rajapakse, one of the convicted soldiers, made a shocking disclosure: beyond the Kumaraswamy family, “300 to 400” more Tamil civilians who disappeared during the 1995–96 military campaign in Jaffna were executed and buried in Chemmani. This testimony marked the first ...

UPDATE:   UN Rights Chief Volker Türk  UN Rights Chief Volker Türk Wraps Up Landmark Visit to Sri Lanka with Renewed Focus on Justice for War Victims Brampton / Colombo / Jaffna / Trincomalee – June 30, 2025 — United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk concluded a four-day visit to Sri Lanka marked by a delicate balance of diplomacy and direct engagement with victims of the country’s decades-long civil conflict. His mission—punctuated by meetings with top government leaders and solemn encounters with Tamil survivors in mass grave sites—underscored a resounding message: without justice, there can be no lasting reconciliation. During his first official trip to the island since taking office, Türk met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake , Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya , cabinet ministers, and civil society organizations across Colombo, Kandy, Trincomalee, and Jaffna. He praised what he described as a “palpable momentum for change,” while also ...

Exposing Deceptive Strategies and Advocating for Justice Editor's Remark Distinguished Readers, We respectfully call upon all advocates for justice for the victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression to steadfastly uphold the principles of international law and order. In these challenging times marked by conflict and devastation, the United Nations General Assembly, comprising 194 member states, stands as a beacon of hope for those who have endured immense suffering. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. It is of paramount importance that we unite in our unwavering commitment to justice, ensuring that the voices of the oppressed are heard and their rights are safeguarded. Immediate action is essential to prevent further atrocities and to provide the necessary support and protection to the victims. Your dedication to these fundamental values is essential in our collective endeavour to cultivate a just and peaceful world. ...