Chemmani mass grave excavations inspected by Justice Minister

The excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave was inspected yesterday (19) by the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.

Officials received instructions from the minister to provide the necessary facilities for the excavation work.

The Jaffna Magistrate, Jaffna District Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran and Rajeevan Jaya Chandramoorthy, former Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer Dr Ajith Tennakoon, and the Chairman of the Office on Missing Persons, Mahesh Katulanda, attended the event alongside officials from the Office on Missing Persons, senior officials from the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, and lawyers.

The Minister of Justice stated to the media that the excavation work at the Chemmani mass grave is progressing successfully, and the government wants to conduct investigations to find justice and truth to bring an end to this.

He added that statements claiming the Office on Missing Persons does not support the process are completely incorrect, as the Ministry of Justice and National Integration provided the required allocations.

He further noted that he observed how the excavations are carried out and expressed satisfaction with the process, mentioning that discussions were held with the magistrate and experts on how to expedite the work.