A protest calling for justice for the victims of the Chemmani mass graves and the repeal of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was held in Jaffna town on Saturday, organised by the Movement for Equal Rights.
The demonstration, which brought together Tamil and Sinhala activists, drew attention to a series of long-standing human rights concerns, including enforced disappearances, the Batalanda torture camp, and other mass grave sites across the island.
Participants carried placards with messages such as:
“Deliver justice at least now for all enforced disappearances,”
“Do not allow Chemmani to be buried in silence again — reveal the truth,”
“No more repeated repression,”
“Immediately repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act,” and
“Guarantee the rights of all national communities.”
Among those who joined the protest were members of the People’s Struggle Movement, including Vasantha Mudalige, Buddhist monks, and several civil society activists.
Protesters condemned decades of impunity surrounding the Chemmani mass graves, where more than 600 bodies of Eelam Tamils are believed to have been buried by the Sri Lankan military in the 1990s. Despite repeated calls from families of the disappeared, investigations have stalled for decades, and no one has been held accountable.
Speakers at the event reiterated that the continuing use of the PTA, despite repeated promises of reform, has perpetuated a climate of repression and fear. They urged the Sri Lankan government to abolish the legislation and to launch credible investigations into the atrocities committed against Tamils and other communities.
The protest concluded peacefully, with participants vowing to continue their campaign until truth and justice are delivered for the victims of Sri Lanka’s mass graves and enforced disappearances.
