The Association of Relatives of the Enforced Disappeared from Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern Provinces organized a rotational hunger strike in Chemmani, Jaffna, demanding international justice for victims of human rights violations, the Chemmani mass grave, and wartime enforced disappearances.
The week-long protest began on 25 September and concluded on 1 October.
On the final day, participants laid floral tributes at the Chemmani Unextinguished Flame monument, marking the end of the campaign.
Coinciding with International Children’s Day, demonstrators also called for justice for children killed during the war. A statement addressed to the Human Rights Commission was read aloud during the event.
As a symbolic act, protesters burned a copy of the Sri Lankan Government’s recent report to the United Nations, expressing dissatisfaction with the state’s response to war-related investigations.
Relatives of the disappeared from the five northern districts, joined by university students, civil activists, and members of the public, reaffirmed their continuing demand for truth, justice, and accountability.
