News and events

Discovery of skeletal remains near Chemmani

2025-02-15

The recent discovery of human skeletal remains in the vicinity of Chemmani has raised significant concerns. On February 13, 2025, while preparing to construct a crematorium at the Ariyalai Sindhubath burial ground near Chemmani, Jaffna, construction workers uncovered these remains. This event has stirred painful recollections among Tamil residents, reminding them of the historical atrocities linked to the Chemmani mass graves.

In light of this discovery, the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha and the Cemetery Development Board were immediately alerted, resulting in the halt of construction activities. The Sri Lankan police have been notified, and further inquiries are expected to ascertain the origins and identities of the remains. This finding holds particular importance due to the area's troubled past, especially the 1996 Chemmani incident, during which Sri Lankan military personnel were implicated in the deaths of numerous Tamil civilians.

In reaction to the discovery, the Jaffna Magistrates Court has mandated increased security measures at the Sindhubath cemetery to protect the site and ensure thorough investigations. Members of the cemetery development committee have been designated to manage these security protocols, highlighting the necessity of addressing historical injustices and pursuing justice for the affected communities.

The recent unearthing of skeletal remains near Chemmani has amplified demands for renewed investigations into these mass graves, as families persist in their quest for justice and accountability regarding the atrocities that occurred during the conflict.

The Chemmani region became infamous after the 1996 kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of 18yearold Krishanthi Kumaraswamy by members of the Sri Lankan military. In the aftermath, her mother, Rajamma 59, her brother, Pranavan 16, and their neighbour, Chidambaram Kirupamoorthy 35, were also murdered while searching for her at the Chemmani military camp. Their remains were subsequently discovered in a field in Chemmani.

In July 1998, Corporal Somaratne Rajapakse, one of the convicted soldiers, revealed the presence of a mass grave in Chemmani, claiming that between 300 and 400 individuals were interred there. Forensic investigations conducted in June 1999 uncovered 15 bodies, some of which were blindfolded and had their hands bound, indicating they had been executed before burial. Nevertheless, despite this evidence, the pursuit of justice remained incomplete, hindered by bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of political will.

CHRD has been actively involved in representing the families of the disappeared and monitoring the process.