Minister Harshana Nanayakkara Inspects Chemmani Mass Grave Excavations

20-Jun-2026

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Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara on June 19 visited the Chemmani Sithupathi mass grave site in Jaffna to inspect the ongoing excavation work.

The visit marks the Minister's first inspection of the site, where more than 350 human skeletal remains have been identified to date.

During the visit, the Minister observed the excavation activities and obtained updates from officials involved in the process, including archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology and forensic medical experts.

The visit came amid growing calls from relatives of forcibly disappeared persons for international monitoring and an international justice mechanism to oversee investigations related to the Chemmani mass grave and similar sites across the country.

Human rights groups and affected families have maintained that international oversight is necessary to ensure transparency, accountability and justice in the investigation process.