Chemmani Protesters Confront Politicians Over Mass Grave Silence

COLOMBO (News 1st): A protest demanding an international investigation into the alleged mass graves in Chemmani entered its third and final day today, drawing participation from civil society activists and families of the disappeared. 

The demonstration, which began on June 23, coincides with the visit of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who is currently touring Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces.

A petition calling for international intervention was circulated during the protest, with signatures collected over the past two days.

Tensions escalated when several politicians arrived at the protest site. MP Thurairasa Raviharan of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) was received without incident. 

However, when ITAK Acting Leader C. V. K. Sivagnanam arrived, protesters demanded that he leave, accusing him of attempting to suppress the truth.

One protester shouted, “The right hand of Douglas is here. They want to cover up this excavation.”

Later, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran and National People's Power MP J. Rajeevan also visited the site, but were met with strong resistance. 

Protesters confronted them with chants such as, “Leave. Douglas killed our people. He lied about Chemmani. Have you spoken about this in Parliament? Leave.”