Nine additional skeletal remains, including eight believed to be those of children, were uncovered today during the 20th day of Phase Three excavations at the Chemmani Siddhupatthi mass grave site in Jaffna.
The latest discovery brings the total number of skeletal remains identified at the site to 327, with 311 remains excavatedso far.
Investigators have also recovered a number of personal items, including baby milk bottles, toys, a doll, children’s shoes and school bags, raising concerns that a significant number of the victims may have been children.
According to excavation teams, the remains were found at depths ranging from approximately 1.5 to 2 feet below the surface.
The Chemmani site is regarded as the second-largest mass grave discovered in Sri Lanka.
Excavations resumed on 27 April 2026 after a seven-month suspension, following the allocation of Rs. 21 million by the Government for the continuation of investigations.
The work is being conducted under the supervision of Forensic Archaeologist Professor Raj Somadeva and Jaffna Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Selliah Pranavan, before Jaffna Magistrate Selvanayagam Leninkumar.
The excavation of the Chemmani Siddhupatthi mass grave initially began on 15 May 2025 under court orders.
The alleged existence of mass burials in the Chemmani area first came to public attention in 1998 during the trial of Lance Corporal Somaratne Rajapaksa, who was convicted in connection with the rape and murder of Tamil schoolgirl Krishanthy Kumaraswamy and four others. During the proceedings, he reportedly disclosed information regarding the burial of hundreds of victims in the Chemmani area.
Excavation and investigative work at the site is continuing under court supervision.