Chemmani Mass Grave Inquiry

The Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna, considered the largest mass grave in Sri Lanka, was discovered in February 2025 during digging for new development work at the Chemmani Sithupathi Hindu Cemetery, adjacent to the previously identified old mass grave.

Subsequently, based on court orders, during the excavation work carried out over 110 days in three phases, 583 skeletons were recovered up until August 19.

The investigations for these excavation operations were conducted by a team led by renowned Sri Lankan archaeological expert and university professor Raj Somadeva.

Suspicions had already arisen that there might be skeletons in several other places beyond the site where excavations were already taking place. Therefore, demands grew stronger from many quarters—including relatives of the forcibly disappeared during the war, Tamil politicians, and civil society activists and even members of security forces captured by LTTE Tamil terrorists —that the excavation work should not be suspended for any reason and must continue across other suspected areas as well.

However, since the permission granted by the court expired on August 19, it is understood that the excavations did not proceed further due to certain reasons, including the allocation of funds for the work. What does the interim research report of the archaeological experts state?

While the case regarding the Chemmani mass grave continued in court, archaeological expert and Professor Raj Somadeva, who examined the Chemmani grave, stated in the interim research report submitted during the court hearing on October 19:

“In the background of those buried in the Chemmani grave, there is a possibility that an epidemic or a natural disaster was the cause. Furthermore, this grave also contains certain significant evidence that religious final funeral rites were performed.”

As a key feature of his report, it is noted: “Based on the evidence obtained so far, the Chemmani grave shows notable differences when compared to controversial mass graves observed in several parts of the world. In particular, when compared with proper burial practices, that grave exhibits noteworthy greater similarities. The high density of the deceased does not properly and precisely prove under what circumstances the bodies were buried. Evidentiary elements required to prove this in such a manner were not visible. The reason why a large number of skeletal remains were recovered from the Chemmani grave may be that an epidemic or a natural disaster was behind this. Therefore, a need may have arisen at that time to dispose of the bodies systematically and quickly. This may also be a reason why items used in funeral rites were not recovered in large numbers. Nevertheless, some traces recovered so far also reveal that formal funeral rites were conducted there.”

However, this interim report did not definitively determine when those recovered from the Chemmani grave died, the reasons for their deaths, or under what circumstances they were buried. Views regarding an epidemic or natural disaster have also been presented merely as possibilities.  The team of archaeological experts led by Professor Raj Somadeva prepared an interim report after examining around 150 skeletons and the accompanying evidentiary materials recovered out of the 583 skeletons excavated so far.

Professor Raj Somadeva, who submitted the aforementioned interim report during the court hearing on the 19th, had previously submitted an interim investigation report to the court on July 15, 2025 as well. It is reported that in that report, he had stated very clearly that he considered there were traces of criminal incidents having taken place in the identified mass grave area in Jaffna Chemmani, and that the skeletal remains recovered from there were not seen in the manner of bodies customarily laid to rest.

In a report released by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in September 2025, it was stated that based on clues including the location of the skeletal remains recovered from the Chemmani grave and the depth at which they were buried, there was a possibility that unlawful burials and extrajudicial executions had occurred. However, that report also emphasized that further investigations were necessary to arrive at a firm conclusion regarding criminal liability.

It is the stark divergence between the important matters mentioned in the previous year’s report and the newly submitted report that has created an uproar among the relatives of the forcibly disappeared and activists continuously working on the Chemmani mass grave.

Relevant parties state that such contradictory reports raise doubts about the credibility of the investigations and cause disappointment.

Meanwhile, in the research report finally submitted by Professor Raj Somadeva, there is the following note regarding why there were no clothes on the skeletons:

Furthermore: “In any of the human skeletons excavated at Chemmani, no evidence of undecomposed clothing directly associated and attached to the skeletal remains was found. However, just because fabric materials have not survived, it should not be construed that the deceased were buried without clothing. Organic materials, including fabrics, are prone to decompose in unfavorable burial conditions. The physical and chemical properties of the soil surrounding them, the moisture level, microbial activity, and the span of time from the burial to the present day exert a great influence on their preservation.”

“In some instances, buttons, button loops, and small metal fittings used in garments were recovered in areas associated with the human skeletons. These serve as supporting evidence for the view that at least some may have been wearing clothes when buried. Therefore, rather than viewing the lack of undecomposed cloth remnants at Chemmani as definitive evidence of the absence of clothing at the time of burial, it should be regarded as an archaeological observation resulting from the decay of residues over time.”

Commenting on this report to BBC Tamil, Kathirgamanathan Kokilavani, who holds leadership in the Association of the Disappeared and is a mother searching for her missing son, stated: “If this grave is not connected to a planned slaughter as the professor claims, how is it that some bodies were buried in a seated position and infants with their feeding bottles? Is there anywhere a method of burying those who died naturally in this manner? The professor issuing such reports should consider the state of mind of us who are suffering the loss of our loved ones.”

With the court hearing of this case scheduled to take place again on November 19, attorney V. S. Niranjan, appearing in the Chemmani mass grave case on behalf of the disappeared, told BBC Tamil that they will file their objection petition next week regarding the contradictory research reports of Professor Raj Somadeva.

He added: “As stated in Professor Raj Somadeva’s report, a history of massive epidemic deaths or natural disasters occurring and hundreds of people being buried like this has not taken place in Jaffna in recent times. If it had truly happened, it should have been pointed out with evidence. He has not mentioned it in that way.”

In addition, many parties have been demanding that carbon dating and DNA tests be conducted expeditiously and comprehensively.

Additionally, Judicial Medical Officer Chelliah Pranavan, who worked on this study, stated that an expert committee would be formed around next week for the forensic examination of the skeletal remains recovered from the Chemmani mass grave.

In this situation, the concerned parties are waiting, as the proceedings and reports to be submitted in the upcoming court sessions will bring out a clear position regarding this issue.

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