News
Chemmani mass grave under scrutiny once again after construction workers find skelton remains
View(s):By S. Rubatheesan
The reopening of a mass grave in Chemmani, Jaffna, raised mixed hopes among the war-affected communities in the North, particularly the relatives of enforced disappeared persons.
In early February this year, a group of construction workers found human remains when they were clearing some adjacent land near the Sinthupathi Hindu cemetery premises.
After police brought up the matter at the Jaffna Magistrate Court, a preliminary on-the-spot investigation was carried out on February 20. The court issued directives to exhume and excavate the human remains under the supervision of relevant experts. 
During the first stage of the excavation, which ended on June 7, at least 19 human skeletons were recovered.
The excavation will resume by the end of this month after steps are taken to ensure adequate financial provisions.
Attorney at Law Ranitha Gnanarajah, who is representing the families of suspected victims and families of the disappeared, told reporters that the recovered 19 skeletons will be placed under magisterial custody through the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO).
The report on the required financial provisions to carry out further excavations was handed over to the court on June 8.
“The report from the JMO was handed over to the Court last week and is being forwarded to the Justice Ministry to ensure adequate financial provisions are made available. “We hope to resume the process ahead of the monsoon period,” Mr. Gnanarajah said.
When the case was taken up in the Jaffna Magistrate Court last Friday (7), preliminary reports by both JMO S. Piranavan and Senior Archaeologist Professor Raj Somadeva were handed over to the courts.
The reports pointed out that human remains were buried 1.6 feet underneath, and the skeletons had no trace of dresses or jewellery.
Based on the request of JMO, we will carry out further excavations for 45 days. The Court directed officials to continue the exhumation process at the earliest by the end of the month under the purview of Prof. Somadeva.
Along with lawyers appearing for families of suspected victims, officials representing the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) were also present during the process.
The Chemmani mass grave came to light in 1996 during the rape, abduction, and murder of 18-year-old Krishanthy Kumarasamy, her mother, younger brother and neighbour.
During the trial, military personnel Somaratne Rajapakse, who was handed a death sentence over the 1996 killings, told Colombo High Court that 300 to 400 other bodies were also buried at this site. He said, “Almost every evening, bodies were brought there, and the soldiers were asked to bury them,” according to a dossier released by Amnesty International at that time.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International South Asia noted that as excavations in the second Chemmani mass grave commenced, “this could be an important step towards delivering truth and justice to the victims and families, provided the excavation process is carried out in line with relevant international standards.”
The international advocacy group urged government authorities to ensure sufficient funds and resources are allocated to complete the excavation in a transparent manner.
OMP Commissioner Mirak Raheem told the Sunday Times that, considering the complexities and challenges around mass grave investigations, a multidisciplinary approach involving families of suspected victims and relevant experts is required to identify the victims in order to resolve cases in a timely manner.
“The judicial process is currently underway, and phase one is completed. OMP is actively facilitating the excavation process and monitoring the developments in order to ensure no delays in the process,” the Commissioner said.
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