Chemmani Mass Grave: Gajendrakumar Demands International Inquiry

29-Jul-2025

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TNPF MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has reiterated that the Chemmani mass grave is evidence of the Sri Lankan state’s continued genocidal intent against Tamils.

So far, 89 bodies have been recovered, with more expected to be identified.

He stated that this was a suppressed issue dating back to the 1996 period.

He alleged that the Chandrika government, using then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, tried to discredit witness Somaratne Rajapakse, who had exposed the graves following the Krishanti Kumaraswamy murder.

Ponnambalam criticized successive governments for hiding war crimes under the guise of “domestic reconciliation,” without meaningful criminal investigations.

He praised Mr. Kirupakaran for alerting them to the Chemmani site and filing a police complaint despite threats.

He emphasized that Chemmani marks a turning point in their struggle to document evidence of genocide, and vowed to take the investigation to international platforms.

He warned against confining justice to the final stages of the war, as the graves point to systemic and prolonged atrocities, not isolated events.