Mass grave grows — over 220 bodies unearthed at Chemmani
COLOMBO – At least eight more skeletal remains were fully exhumed from the Chemmani mass grave on Tuesday (2), while an additional four skeletons were identified, bringing the total number of bodies uncovered to 222.
The third phase of the second stage of excavations, which began on August 29, continued into its ninth consecutive day. Although the court granted forty-five days for this phase, Tuesday marked the forty-first day of work.
In total, excavation efforts at Chemmani have stretched across more than fifty days in different phases. With the latest discoveries, 206 skeletal remains have now been fully exhumed, while 222 in total have been identified.
The Chemmani site in Jaffna has long been described as one of the largest mass graves on the island. It first came to light in 1998 when a Sri Lankan soldier on trial for rape and murder admitted that hundreds of Tamils had been secretly buried there after being killed by the security forces.
Families of the disappeared have pointed to Chemmani as emblematic of Sri Lanka’s culture of impunity.
Despite repeated calls from survivors, human rights defenders, and Tamils for an international investigation, successive Sri Lankan governments have refused outside involvement, insisting on domestic mechanisms that have failed to deliver accountability.
The ongoing excavations at Chemmani, which continue to unearth evidence of atrocity, have only strengthened calls from Tamils for international justice, including referral of Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court.
-TG
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