A campaign has been launched to collect signatures for a petition demanding international justice for all mass graves found in Sri Lanka’s war-affected north and east.
Regional correspondents report that the campaign seeks international justice for the mass graves found in the north and east, including Sri Lanka’s second largest Chemmani mass grave which has been designated a crime scene by the court, as well as for the genocide committed against the Tamil people.
The petition launched a day before the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances – is targeting the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, to be held from 8 September to 3 October 2025.
The petition was jointly prepared by representatives of several parties and alliances including the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), while civil society representatives extended their support to collect signatures in the five districts of the Northern Province.
On 29 August 2025 public gathered to sign the petition at the Mannar Bus Stand, Jaffna Bus Stand, Kilinochchi Public Market Complex, in front of the Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat in Mullaitivu, and in the Vavuniya town.
During a recent interview with a private television channel, Justice Minister and attorney Harshana Nanayakkara revealed that 17 mass graves have been found in Sri Lanka so far.
For the first time, he listed these as the Mannar Sathosa mass grave, Mannar Thiruketheeswaram mass grave, Puthukkudiyiruppu mass grave, Suthanthirapuram mass grave, Mankulam mass grave, Oddusuddan mass grave, Kokkuthoduvai mass grave, Palaly mass grave, Palaly 2 mass grave, Palaly 3 mass grave, Muhamalai 4 mass grave, Kurukkalmadam mass grave, Matale mass grave, Sooriyakanda mass grave, Colombo Port mass grave, Sampur mass grave, and the Chemmani mass grave.
The Mannar Sathosa mass grave is the largest with 376 bodies discovered so far.
On 20 August 2025, Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha Independent Member Swaminathan Pirakalathan had revealed that there are mass graves in five locations in the islets of Jaffna yet to be excavated.
Regional correspondents reported that on 26 August 2025, the Tamil community in the islets paid tribute for the first time to their relatives who are believed to have been buried in Kayts, Araly Junction, near the Mankumban Pillaiyar Kovil, Allaipiddy and Mandaitivu, and who disappeared 35 years ago.