The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) stated that international assistance should be sought to ensure an independent and credible investigation into the Chemmani mass graves, enabling the State to provide the highest possible level of justice from an HR perspective.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, HRCSL Commissioner Nimal G Punchihewa said that while they could make recommendations to the Government on measures needed to ensure justice and protect HR, the responsibility for implementing those recommendations rested with the Government. 

“Our role is to identify the problems in matters of this nature and make recommendations to the Government on what should be done to ensure the greatest possible degree of justice for the people from an HR perspective. We do that. In this case, we have recommended that the Government seek international assistance. The Government should fulfil its responsibility to implement those recommendations,”

Justice Minister, attorney Harshana Nanayakkara was not available for comment.

The comments come amid calls for international involvement in the investigation into human remains recovered from the Chemmani-Siththupaththi area on the outskirts of Jaffna.