By Damintha Gunasekera –
Damintha Gunasekera
Imagine a loved one goes missing– your child, sibling, spouse or parent– you would do anything in your power to bring them back, or at least find out what happened to them. Instead, your pleas fall on deaf ears. Governments and revolutions have come and gone, all promising justice, but ultimately failing to deliver. Yet, here you are, over 3,000 days later, still fighting.
In Jaffna’s Chemmani-Sindubathi site, declared a mass grave on June 8, 2025, 19 human skeletons have been unearthed, with more expected when excavations resume on June 26. This site has been linked to the disappearance of Tamils during the Sri Lankan military’s 1995-1996 reoccupation of Jaffna, potentially making this one of the nation’s largest mass graves. Yet, Southern politicians and mass media remain eerily quiet, deepening the pain of Tamil families and threatening Sri Lanka’s chance for unity and peace.
For years, families from the North and East – mainly Tamil mothers and wives – have protested, holding photos of their vanished loved ones, demanding answers. Recently, they marched again, urging that Chemmani’s excavation be conducted under international supervision and forensic standards, reflecting their deep distrust in the central government. Amnesty International echoes their plea, calling for sufficient resources, transparency with access for families and media, and protection of the site’s integrity. These demands are not just technical; they’re about restoring faith in a nation that has let these families down for decades.
The Chemmani graves, which were first exposed in 1998 by a soldier convicted in the 1996 Krishanthi Kumaraswamy case, may hold 300-400 bodies allegedly from military killings during Operation Riviresa – a military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces to recapture the city of Jaffna. In 1999, 15 skeletons, some even blindfolded, were exhumed; however, justice stalled. The latest findings, 19 skeletons showing signs of violence, renew calls for transparency, accountability, and justice for victims of enforced disappearances. The National People’s Power (NPP) government, led by an Executive President affiliated to the JVP, promised a secular Sri Lanka and a truth commission in its manifesto. Yet, its silence on Chemmani betrays this vision, ignoring a chance to heal wounds and prevent recurrence.
However, this stonewalling isn’t a new tactic; in fact, it has been used by several governments, and it is something all Sri Lankans are familiar with. During the JVP insurrections of 1971 and 1987-1989, Sinhalese families in the South faced the same agony, mourning loved ones lost to mass graves in Sooriyakanda and Matale. The Batalanda case, recently spotlighted by a foreign media interview, fueled public outrage but yielded no accountability for the insurrection-related atrocities. Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim – we’ve all wept for our disappeared. Why, then, do we turn away from Chemmani? Facing our violent past isn’t division, it’s the path to unity.
Reconciliation is our shield against repeating the horrors of our past, and also the path towards economic recovery. Argentina’s 1983 CONADEP commission exposed 9,000 disappearances, leading to trials and 5% annual GDP growth. Colombia’s 2016 peace accord and , with a truth commission, curbed violence and drew in foreign investment. South Africa’s 1996 Truth and Reconciliation Commission rebuilt trust after apartheid, while Rwanda’s Gacaca courts tried 1.9 million genocide cases, fostering peace. These nations it show that truth prevents bloodshed and fuels prosperity—lessons Sri Lanka must learn.
Past efforts, like the 2017 Office of Missing Persons (OMP), logged 14,000 complaints but lacked manpower and were stalled by nationalist backlash. The NPP’s inaction, despite its manifesto pledges, and the government’s April 2025 reluctance to fund Chemmani digs suggest a cover-up, further eroding trust in the North and East. In a world divided– Trump’s nationalist rhetoric in the US, European political polarization, Modi’s Hindutva– Sri Lanka has a potential to be an example of unity.
So, does that mean the Sri Lankan army is evil? No, in fact, our armed forces are perhaps among the best in the world and represent the only country to successfully win a counterinsurgency war, which is studied in universities across the world. They ended a 30+ year-long civil war and eliminated terrorism in our country—a huge triumph that countries with large militaries have not yet achieved. It’s because of their sacrifices that many of us are able to enjoy the lives we lead today and the freedoms that come with it, and we should never forget that. The desire for reconciliation and appreciation of our armed forces does not have to be mutually exclusive. Reconciliation is the way forward, and accountability for past wrongs remains essential for truth-seeking and genuine healing.
What if this were your family? What if the people elected to protect you and your rights have ignored your pleas for sixteen long years? Could you sit idly by and watch as a piece of history is swept under the rug? Today, many Sri Lankans demand justice for faraway Gaza while overlooking our own scars. The government must fund Chemmani’s excavation, ensure international forensic standards, and empower institutions such as OMP. By embracing the truth, as seen in countries like Argentina and Rwanda, we can rebuild trust, prevent repeating the same mistakes of our past, and forge a secular, prosperous Sri Lanka. Silence is not an option; let’s stand with our Tamil brothers and sisters for justice and unity.
Ajith / June 14, 2025
It is sad that the three people who were elected by Tamils in trust NPP or its minister did not even make a presence to the site. At the same time, the lands of the Tamil people were used to build a Buddhist temple after 10 years built a buddhist temple illegally in Tamils land by the commander of the military, Buddhist Monks and NPP and its members in Jaffna now saying we can’t do anything against the illegal building because it is build by Buddhists who are superior than the law and we are ready to give some compensation for that land. NPP is no different to other Buddhist leaders of the past.
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Champa / June 14, 2025
Huh!!!!! “Sri Lanka’s Silence On Chemmani Mass Grave”?
Mr. Damintha Gunasekera, who told you Sri Lanka is silent on the Chemmani mass grave? For your information, there is an on-going investigation on the matter prompted by Sri Lanka Police. If you don’t believe me, ask the “Tamil Guardian” based in London or the “Ilankai Tamil Sangam” based in the USA. To your surprise, they will dispute you. Or, on a second thought, let me rebut your unsubstantiated allegation. I enjoy writing.
This is the truth.
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Champa / June 14, 2025
1. On February 13, 2025, human remains were found at the Ariyalai Sindhubath Hindu burial ground in Chemmani by construction workers who were there to build a crematorium. The Cemetery Board and the Nallur Divisional Secretariat were alerted and a complaint was lodged at Sri Lanka Police.
2. Sri Lanka Police promptly started an investigation on the matter, and, as a result, on February 20, the Jaffna Magistrate inspected the site and ordered a supervised excavation.
2. On February 28, the first report on the case was submitted to the Courts by Dr. Pranavan Selliah, Judicial Medical Officer of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. According to the medical report, of all 40 bone samples found in the burial site, only two were identified as human remains.
3. Then, Dr. Raj Somadeva, Senior Archaeologist was entrusted by the Jaffna Magistrate to carry out supervised excavations on the burial site. Dr. Somadeva had done similar tasks on prior occasions.
4. Excavations which started on May 15 stopped on the 17 due to bad weather and resumed on June 2.
5. You would appreciate the fact that excavations are still continuing and the Sri Lanka Police investigation on the burial site is proceeding faster than any other country in the world!!!
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Native Vedda / June 15, 2025
Champa
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“To your surprise, they will dispute you.”
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You should be denying war crimes ever being committed in Sri Lanka, especially in the North East. I don’t know where you got the idea that Sri Lankan armed forces, police, and death squads ever committing any war crimes, crime against humanity, …
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Human Touch / June 15, 2025
Champa
Do you hear yourself?
You sound absurd, as always, I am not surprised.
Are you the spokes person for the government?
I think you have needlessly exposed yourself.
You are not the defender of the SL government. Shut your trap and Les see what happens, now that this has started receiving media attention. Don’t jump the gun.
If this government is sincere they will do right by the dead.
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leelagemalli / June 15, 2025
Dear Readers,
Do Victims Ever Truly Get Justice After War?
Sometimes, Yes — but Rarely Fully.
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There have been cases where post-war investigations, tribunals, or truth commissions have offered some justice or recognition to victims, though full justice is elusive.
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Examples Where Investigations Helped Victims (Partially)
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1. Rwanda – International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
After the 1994 genocide, the ICTR prosecuted dozens of high-ranking officials responsible for orchestrating mass killings.
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Some survivors saw justice served, but it took years and was limited to top figures.
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2. Bosnia – International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
Investigated and prosecuted war crimes on all sides, including Serb, Croat, and Bosniak forces.
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Leaders like Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić were convicted for genocide and war crimes.
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Victims’ families had some closure, but many others felt it was not enough.
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3. South Africa – Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Focused more on truth than punishment.
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Victims gave testimony; perpetrators could receive amnesty if they told the truth.
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It brought healing for some, though not justice in the conventional sense.
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Tbc.
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leelagemalli / June 15, 2025
cont.
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Why Do So Many Investigations Fail?
Power Politics: The winning side often controls the narrative. If they’re also guilty, they suppress investigations.
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Lack of Will: Governments often don’t want to prosecute their own soldiers or allies.
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Fear of Destabilization: Some argue that pushing for justice might threaten peace in fragile post-war societies.
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Ethnic and Nationalist Bias: Victims are often part of a marginalized group, so their voices are silenced.
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Sri Lanka’s Case
In the case of Sri Lanka, the government won the civil war. Investigations into mass killings, like Chemmani, have been limited and slow because:
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Many alleged perpetrators are from the military—a powerful institution.
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The victims are mostly Tamil civilians, a minority group.
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The government sees reopening these wounds as politically risky.
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So What’s the Point of Investigations, Then?
Even when justice is partial or delayed, documenting the truth matters:
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It preserves memory against denial.
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It builds pressure for eventual justice—sometimes decades later.
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It gives families and communities some sense that their pain is recognized, not erased.
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Bottom Line
War is ugly. Justice is rare and incomplete. But efforts like Chemmani’s forensic investigations, however flawed, are part of a longer struggle—for truth, for dignity, and maybe, someday, for justice.
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leelagemalli / June 15, 2025
What About the JVP Itself?
The JVP was militarily crushed by 1990.
Its leadership re-emerged in politics by renouncing violence and entering parliamentary democracy.
Today, they are part of the NPP (National People’s Power) coalition and are gaining popularity for anti-corruption rhetoric.
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Here’s the contradiction:
The JVP calls for accountability for war crimes in the North.
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But they have never fully addressed or taken moral responsibility for violence during 1987–89, including:
Attacks on civilians
Killings of academics, artists, and activists
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Why Has Nothing Moved Forward?
Both sides were violent — the JVP and the State. Each has reasons to avoid opening old wounds.
Most victims were poor Sinhala youth — politically expendable and often forgotten.
No international pressure — the violence was internal and largely invisible to the world.
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Post-war focus shifted entirely to North-East Tamil issues, sidelining Southern grievances.
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Final Reflection
I think I am absolutely right to point out the selective memory in Sri Lankan justice:
Chemmani and Northern atrocities: visible, politicized, and internationally discussed.
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1987–89 Southern repression: invisible, unaddressed, and silenced even by current political players.
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Both deserve attention. Justice is not divisible by geography or ethnicity.
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Excerpts from the Disappearances Commissions
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Witness testimonies from Southern mass graves
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Analysis of JVP’s political evolution
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leelagemalli / June 15, 2025
Why JVP Still Struggles Politically Today
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Despite having had a clean image and gaining momentum as a “third force”, the JVP (via NPP) seems stalled.
Here’s why: Rigid Ideological Dogma (empty UDDACHCHAKAMA)
Still clings to outdated Marxist rhetoric.
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Fails to speak the language of everyday people on issues like jobs, inflation, and ethnic reconciliation.
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Moral High Ground, but No Real Solutions ———————> examples –
– Extradiation of AM former CBSL governor – for that highly controversal issue – BOND Scam – ?
– East sunday disaster – empty promises of finding Key criminals…. ?
– Puttingformer presidents in Jail being based on hyperbolic allegigations during their rule?
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Great at criticizing corruption and other parties – Pre election – sharp allegations at any political rival parties ?
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Weak when it comes to practical governance plans.
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Reputation for Historical Violence
1987–89 killings are never fully addressed.
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Older voters remember the fear and chaos; younger ones don’t feel connected to JVP’s revolutionary past.
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Stuck in a Protest Mindset
Excels in street protests and moral posturing, but falters in real policy dialogue or coalition-building.
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Failure to Build Alliances
Refuses to work with traditional parties, but also alienates other progressive forces.
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They claim to be “clean,” but politics is coalition-based—purism doesn’t build power in a democracy.
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Overdependence on Anura Kumara
AKD is smart and articulate, but the party’s over-centralization around him is a weakness.
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Lack of diverse leadership or grassroots structure beyond university circles and urban activists.
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