Chemmani mass grave excavation uncovers 582 skeletons

Excavations at the Chemmani mass grave near Jaffna, Sri Lanka, have uncovered a total of 582 human skeletons. The remains, which include babies and children, are believed to be linked to the country’s civil war between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

During the most recent phase of work, investigators identified 10 additional sets of remains, bringing the total number of identified sets during the 108-day excavation process to 572. Personal items such as toys, milk bottles, school bags, shoes, and bangles were recovered at the site, supporting the identification of child victims. One skeleton was reportedly found with both hands tied against the chest.

The site has been under suspicion since 1998. Previous excavations in 1999 recovered 15 skeletons, some of which showed signs of serious assault. The current investigation follows the discovery of remains by construction workers and continues to face a steady emergence of new findings as the third phase of court-authorized excavation nears its conclusion.