BTF demands international probe into Chemmani mass grave site

A prominent diaspora organization has called for an immediate international investigation into the mass grave discovered at Chemmani in northern Sri Lanka.

The British Tamils Forum released a statement expressing deep concern over claims that the human remains recovered from the site could be attributed to a historical epidemic or a natural disaster.

The group argued that the lead archaeologist appointed to the Chemmani investigation lacks specialized qualifications in forensic archaeology and anthropology.

Human remains numbering 583 sets have been excavated from the location, alongside personal items including feeding bottles, toys, and schoolbags.

Demographic reports indicate that children account for an estimated 41 percent of the bodies recovered, while infants comprise 22 percent.

Rights organizations noted that such demographic findings strongly align with historical military crackdowns and mass enforced disappearances recorded in the Jaffna Peninsula during the 1990s.

Previous assessments conducted by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka observed that naked bodies were buried in disorderly heaps at the site.

The rights commission previously concluded that these burial practices were entirely incompatible with local cultural rites and indicated a reasonable likelihood of unlawful extrajudicial killings.

The Tamil diaspora group warned that unverified natural disaster narratives risk deflecting scrutiny from potential state or military criminal responsibility.

The organization stated that Sri Lankan state authorities lack both the political resolve and specialized forensic facilities required to conduct a credible local inquiry.

To ensure accountability, the forum requested the immediate deployment of accredited international forensic pathologists and anthropologists to preserve the chain of custody.

The proposal calls for a multidisciplinary expert review of the archaeological report alongside the implementation of the United Nations Minnesota Protocol on potentially unlawful deaths.

Recommendations submitted by the forum include establishing a UK-based satellite analysis project to trace historical topographic changes and vehicle routes around the burial grounds.

The group further urged international bodies to build a cross-verified database of missing persons and create an independently supervised DNA databank utilizing accredited laboratories in Europe.