HRCSL Probe Into Chemmani Reveals Chilling Details

COLOMBO (News 1st); Faded, torn, and buried in the soil of what is now considered as a mass grave, a school bag was discovered. It was not only a bag that was discovered, human remains were also unearthed.

In August, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka conducted a fact-finding mission on the ongoing investigation into the mass grave site in Chemmani, and released a report on its findings. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has released a powerful fact-finding report following its mission to the Chemmani mass grave site, where over 200 human remains have been unearthed in what may be one of the most significant investigations into enforced disappearances in the country’s history.

The report, published on 3 September 2025, outlines serious concerns about the adequacy of forensic expertise, technological resources, and institutional accountability. It also raises the possibility that the burials were unlawful and linked to extrajudicial killings, based on the shallow depth and positioning of the remains — many of which were found without clothing.

HRCSL’s investigation revealed disturbing accounts of intimidation by CID officers, a lack of Tamil-language capacity in law enforcement, and interference with media freedom.

The Commission has called for the establishment of a permanent independent office to investigate and prosecute serious crimes by state officials, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

It also recommended the creation of a DNA bank to match remains with families of the disappeared, and the use of bomb-pulse carbon dating to accurately determine the age of the remains.

Among the 17 recommendations issued to various ministries and institutions, HRCSL urged:

The Ministry of Justice to adopt a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for mass grave investigations.

The Ministry of Finance to expedite the release of vital forensic equipment held at customs.

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