29th death anniversary of Krishanthi Kumaraswamy marked in Chemmani

Banners and a school uniform placed at today’s commemoration event to remember Krishanthi Kumaraswamy. 

The 29th death anniversary of Krishanthi Kumaraswamy who was kidnapped and killed later along with her mother, brother and neighbor in Chemmani was marked at the same spot where she was taken into Army custody when she was returning on her bicycle on September 7, 1996. 

Organized by civil society organizations, youth groups and political parties, attendees gathered to remember late Krishanthi and her family along with other victims at Chemmmani junction today. A replica statue memorial was also placed to remember the victims. 

The commemoration event came in the wake of ongoing excavation activities in Chemmani mass grave- few meters away from where 1996 bodies of victims were identified. With the second phase of excavations activities came to an end last week, at least 240 human remains were exhumed so far and currently placed under judicial custody.

On this day, twenty nine years ago- Krishanthi Kumaraswamy, a school girl attached to Chundikuli Girls College was taken into custody when she was returning home and was made to disappear at Chemmani Military checkpoin. Her mother, brother and neighbor who went to check about her whereabouts were also made to disappear later in 1996. 

Following police investigations, fifteen human skeletons including partly decomposed bodies were exhumed. Nine Army officers and a police officer were convicted for the heinous crime of kidnapping, rape and murder. The main suspect Lance Corporal Somarathna Rajapaksa was handed ivermectin death sentence by a Trial at bar in Colombo. (Northeastern Monitor/ September 7/2025)