by Sulochana Ramiah Mohan and T. Pratheepan – Jaffna, Ceylon Today, September 4, 2025
Seven new sets of human remains were fully exhumed from the Chemmani mass grave yesterday (3), while additional nine sets were identified.
This marks the continuation of the third section of the second phase of excavations at the site, which began on 29 August and concluded yesterday, completing the 10th day of work in this section.
The Court had granted 45 days for the second-phase excavations, and yesterday marked the 42nd day of the ongoing work.
Over the course of 51 days of phased excavation so far, a total of 213 sets of human remains have been fully exhumed, including the seven recovered yesterday. To date, 231 sets of remains have been identified at the site.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has reported that over 90 per cent of human remains recovered from the Chemmani mass grave were found without clothing. Preliminary expert observations of skeletal positioning—often in close proximity and at shallow depths—indicate a strong likelihood that the burials were unlawful and the result of extrajudicial killings, the Commission stated yesterday (3).
In response, the HRCSL recommended that the Minister of Justice develop and formally adopt a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for investigating mass grave sites. The SOP should be prepared in consultation with legal experts, forensic specialists, and civil society representatives, and include mechanisms to provide regular updates to keep stakeholders informed of investigative progress.
The Commission highlighted significant gaps in expertise and technology affecting the investigation. These include shortages of specialists in forensic anthropology and archaeology, the absence of advanced facilities for accurate carbon dating, such as bomb-pulse 14C methods, and limited access to cost-effective DNA analysis. HRCSL concluded that international expertise and technological assistance will be necessary to complete the investigation effectively. Delays in funding allocation were also noted as a factor that could hinder progress.
The report expressed concern over the intimidation of personnel involved in excavation and exhumation work by certain officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). HRCSL warned that continued involvement of regular Police officers could compromise the investigation and recommended exploring alternative arrangements. The Commission also cited the summoning of journalist Kumanan Kanapathippillai by the Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) while he was documenting the investigation, noting that such actions could have a chilling effect on media coverage.
Overall, the HRCSL concluded that while some institutional actors were performing their duties diligently, gaps in capacity and willingness among law enforcement authorities hindered accountability for the deaths of those found at the site. The Commission conducted a fact-finding mission to Chemmani on 3–4 August 2025 to observe the investigation, engage with institutional actors, independent observers, and families, and identify challenges faced by officials and affected relatives. On 3 August, the Commission met with staff from the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Attorneys-at-Law, and civil society representatives supporting families of disappeared persons. On 4 August, HRCSL visited the mass grave site to observe excavation and exhumation work, meeting Jaffna Magistrate Amalavalan Anandarajah, Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Selliah Pranavan, and the officer in charge of the preliminary CID investigation.
The Commission also visited the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, where it observed the storage of recovered remains and met Dr. Pranavan and Head of Department Dr. P.A. Dinesh Coonghe. HRCSL also consulted Prof. Raj Somadeva, the archaeological expert supervising excavation and exhumation. On 3 September, the HRCSL published its report detailing findings, observations, and recommendations. By the time of publication, over 200 human remains had been discovered. The report structured its findings around five key themes: the functions and initial findings of institutional actors; adequacy of expertise and technology; sufficiency and accessibility of funding; accountability and the role of Security Forces and law enforcement; and the role of the Bar, civil society, and media.
Among its recommendations, HRCSL urged the Government to provide resources for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to scan the mass grave and surrounding areas for additional remains. It called for prioritising Chemmani in allocating key human resources, such as archaeological teams and developing a pool of experts to support multiple mass grave investigations. The Commission also recommended securing relevant expertise and technology, including from overseas, for independent DNA analysis and stressed that these measures should apply to all mass grave investigations in Sri Lanka. Support should also be provided to the successor of the current Magistrate in Chemmani if promoted. HRCSL further called for the establishment of a permanent independent Office for the Investigation and Prosecution of Serious Crimes by State Officials, with powers to investigate enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings allegedly committed by security or law enforcement personnel.
The Commission recommended that the Inspector General of Police direct the CID to avoid intimidating State officials or family members and to refrain from irrelevant or antagonistic questioning. It also called on the Minister of Defence and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army to ensure that Army officers do not interfere with the investigation or contact State officials, civil society representatives, or families of disappeared persons. The HRCSL advised the Minister of Higher Education to review training for forensic anthropology students, consider limiting foreign training to one year with State funding, and develop local forensic archaeology expertise through universities. Finally, the Commission urged the Minister of Finance to issue a VAT exemption to Sri Lanka Customs to release vital laboratory equipment donated to the University of Jaffna for establishing a Clinical Genetics Unit.