The Army Committed the Massacre in Chemmani: Attorney-at-Law Ratnavel Reveals
Senior attorney K.S. Ratnavel has declared that the Chemmani mass grave will open new doors in the journey for justice. He emphasized that there is evidence the massacre occurred at Chemmani and that the Sri Lankan Army was responsible.
Revelation at Book Launch
Ratnavel made these remarks at the book launch for “Vannam,” covering the Krishanthi Coomaraswamy murder case, held at the Colombo Tamil Sangam.
He stated that the Krishanthi case revealed the existence of a major mass grave in Chemmani. According to the testimony of Lance Corporal Somaratne Rajapaksa:
“I am not the only one involved in this. Even generals were part of it. We buried the bodies they provided in Chemmani.”
Sidhupathi Cemetery and Suspended Excavations
Rajapaksa had claimed that over 500 bodies were buried at the Chemmani site. Following his confession, 15 bodies were recovered during a 1999 excavation. However, further excavations were halted—allegedly due to political pressure.
The issue has since reignited. The nearby Sidhupathi Hindu Cemetery, where bodies are traditionally cremated, not buried, raises more suspicion. It is believed that hundreds more bodies may lie beneath the Chemmani site.
Evidence of a State-Sanctioned Massacre
After new scans were completed, it was discovered that more burial sites may exist. These are not ordinary graves—they are sites where people were killed and buried in large numbers.
Ratnavel stated:
- The perpetrators acted above the law
- The military ruled Jaffna with unchecked power
- From 1995 to 2009, after the LTTE was expelled, the army operated without oversight
Volker Türk’s Visit to Sri Lanka
When news broke that UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk was visiting Sri Lanka, Ratnavel and others requested that he personally visit the Chemmani grave site, citing its symbolic and investigative importance.
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded positively at first.
Judicial Blockade and Political Obstruction
Suddenly, authorities stated that since the site was under the Magistrate Court’s jurisdiction, Türk would need special permission to enter.
Initially, the Office of Missing Persons was expected to handle the matter, but the responsibility was later shifted to the Attorney General’s Department—which many fear will stall or block progress.
In response, Ratnavel and his legal team immediately approached the Magistrate’s Court and formally requested access.
Attempt to Block UN Entry
At the court hearing, a police officer representing the government argued that the UN High Commissioner could only stand outside the cemetery gate, and would not be allowed to enter.
Ratnavel objected, stating:
“This would be an international insult to a diplomat of such importance. Volker Türk’s visit is based on an agreement with the Sri Lankan government.”
Eventually, the Magistrate granted permission for the visit.
Conclusion: A Fight for International Justice
Ratnavel concluded by saying:
- The Attorney General’s involvement often signals inaction
- Victims’ families have no faith in domestic courts
- They seek international investigations and tribunals
- Chemmani is not just a grave site—it is a gateway to justice
Source: IBC Tamil
Link: https://ibctamil.com/article/sl-army-itself-committed-a-massacre-in-chemmani-1754208985
Thank you,
Tamil Diaspora news, August 3,2025