The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today’s debate covers the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance, the Regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, the Regulations under the Finance Act, and the Regulations under the Construction Industry Development Act. We accept many points made. However, I must raise urgent issues our people cannot bear.

¶ 02 In Mannar, for 19 days, there has been a continuous protest against installing new wind turbines on the island. On 13th of this month, we met the Hon. President; it was decided to suspend the project for one month and to obtain public views. The Mannar Island already hosts the country’s first large wind power park (since 2020, “Thambapavani,” 30 modern turbines). Additional towers exist off the island near Vankalai and Naruvilikulam. The people believe they have already contributed substantially to the grid. With limited land area, further towers will make living difficult. Please consider their views and take appropriate action.

¶ 03 On the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna: we urge international oversight and expertise in exhumations. The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, recently indicated the UK is exploring providing technical expertise. We welcome this and thank him. The Government should fully cooperate with any international experts.

¶ 04 Chemmani exhumations have proceeded in phases. The first 9-day preliminary excavation ended on 7 June. The second phase commenced on 26 June with a 45-day court order, was paused on 10 July for rest, resumed on 21 July, and paused again on 6 August after day 32. So far, 147 human skeletal remains have been identified, with 140 fully exhumed. The court-appointed archaeologist (Prof. Raj Somadeva) reported on 14 August that at least eight more weeks are required.

¶ 05 Recovered evidence includes remains of women, children and infants, baby bottles, toys, girls’ clothes, footwear, glass bangles, and school bags — horrifying to behold. The Judicial Medical Officer has reported that over 90% of the 147 identified remains were of persons buried naked — indicating grave crimes and mass killings of women and children.

¶ 06 Witnesses have reportedly been intimidated by the CID when coming forward for statements, and lawyers (M.A. Sumanthiran, K. Gurubaran, V. Manivannan) have complained to court. We condemn such intimidation; it must cease.

¶ 07 Past inquiries indicated possible military involvement. The 2003 report (210 pages) of the HRCSL-appointed commission (headed by Dr. Devanesan Nesiah, with K.H. Camillus, Jesima Ismail, C.M. Iqbal) noted many disappeared may have been killed, and pointed to specific camps, officers, and soldiers.

¶ 08 In the 1998 Krishanthy Kumaraswamy case, six soldiers including Lance Corporal Somaratna Rajapakse were sentenced to death. He told court that 300–400 people had been killed at Chemmani, and subsequent excavations recovered remains. Given the ongoing discoveries, his testimony should be incorporated into an international, independent investigation. The file transferred to Colombo (B28991) should be returned to Jaffna for linkage to the current case.

¶ 09 We ask for an independent international judicial inquiry into Chemmani, with participation of international forensic and human rights experts, and full Government cooperation. Similarly, the Kokkuvil (Kokkilai/Kokkuthoduvai) grave also requires international inquiry.

¶ 10 My time is up; I submit the remainder to the Chair. Thank you.