A delegation from Canada was forced to turn back after visiting the Chemmani mass grave site, as the government did not grant them permission to inspect the area.
Lawyer V.S. Niranjen stated that this incident occurred yesterday afternoon.
Elaborating further, he said, “A delegation from the Canadian Embassy visited the site yesterday for an inspection. However, because permission was not granted by the government, they had to return.
To access the excavation site, permission must first be obtained from the Sri Lankan government, followed by an application submitted to the court. Since government authorization was not received, no application was made to the court, and consequently, no court order was issued. As the government failed to grant approval, the delegation was unable to inspect the area and had to leave.
Members of the Canadian delegation informed us that they had requested administrative clearance from the relevant Sri Lankan ministry. Due to delays in receiving that authorization, they decided to at least drive up to the entrance of the site before departing.”
It is notable that a high-level delegation, including Isabelle Martin, the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, was visiting Jaffna to participate in various events.