Archaeologists in northern Sri Lanka have completed the third phase of an excavation at a mass grave site in the Chemmani area, uncovering the skeletal remains of 572 people. The site was discovered accidentally in February 2026 by workers digging to extend a cremation ground. Among the remains, investigators found personal items such as bangles, a school bag, a milk bottle, and clothing, as well as the remains of children and infants. It is believed to be the largest mass grave ever uncovered in the country.
The discovery follows decades of reports regarding disappearances during Sri Lanka’s civil war, which lasted from 1983 to 2009. In 1998, a soldier convicted of the rape and murder of 18-year-old Krishanthi Kumaraswamy testified that 300 to 400 people killed in the mid-1990s were buried in Chemmani. While an excavation in 1999 yielded more than 10 skeletons, rights activists stated that the investigation was not pursued by the government at the time. The current site is located within 100 meters of where Kumaraswamy’s remains were found.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reported last year that the burials were likely unlawful and linked to extrajudicial killings. Commissioners noted the graves were shallow, ranging from one to two meters deep, and that bodies were often found without clothing and stacked together. All remains are currently held by the Forensic Department of the University of Jaffna under court custody. Prof. Raj Somadeva, the chief archaeologist, stated an interim report would be submitted to the court by the end of September 2026.
For the affected population, the change involves a transition from decades of uncertainty to a formal legal and forensic process. Families are now being asked by the government to provide DNA samples for future comparison with the remains. However, the timeline for these results remains unclear, as some samples are expected to be sent abroad for detailed examination to determine the age of the remains and causes of death. The process has been described by local residents and rights groups as slow, testing the patience of those who have waited since the late 1990s for news.
The situation sets a precedent for how the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who took office in September 2024, will handle allegations of wartime atrocities. While Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has promised funding and cooperation, the administration continues to oppose international mechanisms for investigating war crimes, a stance that conflicts with recommendations from the United Nations. What happens next depends on the court's review of the interim report due in late September 2026 and the subsequent scheduling of DNA testing and forensic analysis.