Ponnambalam wants Chemmani site officially declared a mass grave

Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) leader and Jaffna parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has urged the government to officially designate the Chemmani site in Jaffna as a mass grave and to provide immediate funding and protection for the ongoing excavation process.

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Speaking in Parliament last week, Ponnambalam warned that the lack of official recognition and proper funding was jeopardising the investigation and risking the loss of crucial forensic evidence.

"Honourable minister, these graves now, there have been more than three bodies found, skeletons found. So it qualifies, under international jurisdiction, for a mass grave," Ponnambalam said.

He raised serious concerns over the current conditions at the site, noting the lack of basic security to safeguard the area.

"There is no security put there. There is no protection at all. When the court, when the people go there, they go... and then after that, it's open to all the elements," he said.