UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed “very grave concerns” regarding the recently uncovered mass grave at Chemmani, during a parliamentary exchange with MP Uma Kumaran this week, stating that he had “raised this with the Sri Lankan government directly”.
Speaking before the Foreign Affairs Committee, Kumaran praised the government’s recent decision to impose sanctions on Sri Lankan military officials accused of grave human rights violations, but highlighted the “horrific discovery” of a new mass grave in Chemmani as a painful reminder of Sri Lanka’s ongoing legacy of violence.
“It includes the remains of three babies,” she said. “It’s a fresh and painful reminder of how close to home these atrocities are.”
Kumaran, the first British MP of Eelam Tamil heritage, thanked the Foreign Secretary for his “personal commitment” to justice for the Tamil people and asked whether the UK government had raised the Chemmani mass grave with Sri Lankan authorities, noting that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had warned that Sri Lanka lacked the resources to conduct exhumations in line with international standards.
Lammy confirmed that the UK had raised the matter with Colombo directly.
“Yes, we have raised this with the Sri Lankan government,” he said. “We did that last month.”
“We are also in close touch with families of those who disappeared from across the country. We’re working with NGOs and others to make sure their voices are heard.”
Lammy added that the UK would consider what “technical expertise” could be provided to support those working on the Chemmani mass grave.
“I’m happy to look into whether there is technical expertise we can bring to bear, supporting those looking at the mass grave issue, understanding that there are capacity issues.”
In a follow-up question, Kumaran asked whether the UK government would support the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ recommendation that perpetrators of atrocities be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“My understanding is that Sri Lanka is not an ICC state party,” responded Lammy. “So, the Court wouldn’t have jurisdiction to investigate any crimes that might be committed. That is the difficulty in what you recommend.”
The Chemmani mass grave, first brought to international attention in 1998, is currently being excavated again, with the remains of at least 47 individuals uncovered so far. Among them are women and children, alongside personal effects such as schoolbags and toys. Rights groups and Tamil civil society continue to call for international oversight and accountability.
The British foreign secretary has previously been forthright on the steps that needed to be taken to ensure accountability in Sri Lanka.
Previously, Lammy recognised Tamil struggles for justice and self-determination, stating that the occasion is “also of course a time for us to remember the sacrifices made by the Tamil people for self-determination, for peace, and for justice in Sri Lanka.”
In 2023, he urged the British government to act upon the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and refer Sri Lankan war criminals to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In 2022, Lammy explicitly called for the UK to refer Sri Lankan war criminals to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Speaking at an event, he said, “I marched for sanctions on apartheid South Africa… I am demanding sanctions be imposed on Sri Lankan war criminals.”
He added, “We believe in internationalism, multilateralism, and the rule of law. That means you must be held to account for atrocities committed against innocent, decent people. As a fellow member of a minority community, I pay tribute to the Tamils.”