An European Union (EU) delegation visiting Sri Lanka’s largest mass grave in Chemmani, Jaffna was met with a protest demanding international intervention and accountability.

Forensic Archeologist Prof. Raj Somadeva briefed the delegation on excavation progress and findings. By yesterday, a total of 467 bodies had been recovered from the site.

Chairperson of the Association of Relatives of the Enforced Disappeared in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Yogarasa Kanagaranjani, presented the group’s demands to the delegation. 

Protesters voiced strong distrust in Sri Lanka’s domestic justice system, arguing it has failed for decades to deliver truth, justice, and accountability.

Demonstrators also linked their demands to broader political issues, calling for the removal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as a condition tied to the European Union’s GSP+ trade concessions.

The protest unfolded under heavy police presence. (Newswire)

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Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne says the official residence of the Speaker will be transformed into a knowledge centre providing information to all Members representing all layers of governance in the country.

The Speaker further said that the centre is planned to impart essential knowledge to Members of Local Authorities, Provincial Councils, and Parliament on subjects such as international relations, fiscal policy, and governance. 

He also revealed that it is proposed to develop this centre into a national and international-level research institution that supports both qualitative and quantitative research.

Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne made these remarks during a recent meeting in Parliament with a delegation from the European Union, including Dr. Jonathan Murphy, Head of the Inter Pares global project implemented by the European Union, and Ms. Ingrid Walker, Programme Manager of Inter Pares.

The delegation of the Inter Pares Global project of the European Union, which focuses on strengthening parliamentary capacity, met with the Speaker on Monday (07), the opening day of a four-day programme organized at the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

The delegation stated that the primary objectives of the programme are to provide the necessary knowledge to enhance legislative activity, oversight, financial, and administrative functions of the Sri Lankan Parliament and to facilitate experience sharing.

According to a Parliament statement, during the meeting, discussions were also held on various other areas of focus. 

Commenting on parliamentary committees, the Speaker briefed the delegation on the activities carried out by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA). He further explained that, in addition to the current technical assistance, measures have been taken to obtain legal support for these committees.

The Speaker also emphasized that the Parliament aims to take accurate decisions to accelerate the country’s development process while taking strict action against corruption.

Accordingly, the visiting delegation is scheduled to meet with heads of various departments and divisions of Parliament until Friday (11 July), to engage in the exchange of ideas. (Newswire)

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