The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Under Standing Order 27(2), I draw the attention of the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, to the following:

¶ 02 On 12 July 1990, Muslim pilgrims returning home to Kattankudy after Hajj were abducted by the LTTE at Kurukkalmadam on the Kalmunai–Batticaloa main road. A case (B/172/2014) was filed on 09.04.2014 before the Kaluwanchikudy Magistrate’s Court by Abdul Majeed Mohamed Rauf of Kattankudy. Over 100 persons were forcibly disappeared; their belongings were taken; they were killed and allegedly buried near the Kurukkalmadam beach. On 28.04.2014, the Magistrate ordered the relevant authorities to carry out all steps necessary to excavate the suspected mass grave. Yet to date, it has not been excavated.

¶ 03 Victims and their families have a moral right to know what happened. The remains must be exhumed, identified through DNA testing, and reburied after rites as per the families’ wishes. After I raised this earlier in the House, the Hon. Minister visited the site and stated that excavations should be commenced immediately and full cooperation would be given. I thank him.

¶ 04 Although about Rs. 2.9 million has reportedly been allocated, I understand funds have not been released, delaying the matter. On 06.01.2026, the Magistrate reportedly requested additional funds. The Kaluwanchikudy Divisional Secretariat has been made responsible for the excavation at Kurukkalmadam. Hon. Minister, please release the necessary funds to the Kaluwanchikudy Divisional Secretariat so the work can proceed urgently and justice be given to the families by exhuming, identifying via DNA, performing Islamic rites and reburial after nearly 35 years.