The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has urged stronger measures to ensure accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigation into the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna, where more than 200 human remains have been uncovered.
Following a fact-finding mission in August, the HRCSL reported gaps in expertise, funding, and technology, warning that continued involvement of regular police officers could prejudice the outcome.
The Commission noted that over 90 per cent of remains were found without clothing and buried in shallow pits, raising suspicions of extrajudicial killings.
The HRCSL recommended establishing an independent office for investigating serious crimes, securing overseas expertise for DNA analysis and carbon dating, and creating a national DNA bank for families of the disappeared.
It also called on the police to refrain from intimidating witnesses and media, and the Sri Lanka Army to refrain from interfering in the probe.
The Commission stressed that while some institutional actors were working with commitment, systemic gaps must be addressed to ensure justice for the victims and their families. (Newswire)
