(Sri Lanka Brief/ August 02, 2025)
Excavations at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna have uncovered harrowing evidence of past atrocities, with 118 skeletal assemblages identified to date. Among them, one adult skeleton was found in a position cradling a small child, deepening concerns over the nature of those killings.
Ongoing Exhumation Efforts
Of the 118 assemblages, 105 have been fully exhumed, offering new insight into the scale of violence allegedly perpetrated by Sri Lankan state forces during the civil conflict. On Thursday, forensic teams uncovered three additional sets of human remains from the two court-designated areas—Forensic Excavation Site No. 01 and Site No. 02—bringing the count of skeletons exhumed during this phase to 40.
Children Among the Victims
Multiple remains of infants and children have been recovered from this grave—one of the largest ever documented on the island. The posture of the adult cradling a child, in particular, suggests profound brutality and raises questions about how the victims met their fate.
International Delegations and Delays
Growing global attention was marked by the visit of Swiss Ambassador Siri Walt, who led a delegation to observe forensic operations and consult with experts on site.
Meanwhile, delays in Ministry of Defence clearance for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology have hampered broader exploration efforts. A solution has been reached through collaboration between the University of Jaffna and the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, with GPR operations now scheduled to begin on Monday.
Timeline of Excavation
Currently in its second phase, the court has authorized 45 days for this round of investigations. Thursday marked day 26 of the phase, and day 11 of its second segment—amounting to 35 working days of excavation since the court’s re-excavation order.
Legacy of Violence and Calls for Justice
The Chemmani site was first exposed in 1998, when a Sri Lankan soldier alleged it contained remains of Tamils detained, tortured, and killed in the 1990s. Alongside other mass graves found in Mannar, Batticaloa, and Mullaitivu, Chemmani remains a stark symbol of state violence and impunity.
Advocates and victims’ families continue to call for a credible international investigation, dismissing domestic probes that have consistently failed to deliver justice.
(With the inputs from Tamil Guardian)