Sri Lanka Remembers Civil War Victims, Amnesty Calls for Justice

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Large crowds gathered today in Mullivaikkal and Jaffna to commemorate those who lost their lives in Sri Lanka's civil war.

The Mullivaikkal event saw a significant turnout, with participants laying wreaths to honor the fallen.

Agnès Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, joined the commemoration.

Callamard's presence underscored the ongoing concerns about accountability for wartime abuses. "Today's anniversary serves as a grim reminder of the collective failure to deliver justice to the victims," she said.

Callamard pointed to evidence of potential war crimes and the lack of a robust national investigation. "The UN has found credible evidence of multiple crimes," she said. "People have a fundamental right to access justice, yet there has been very little progress in establishing an independent and impartial national inquiry."

Callamard further highlighted a recent report by the UN Human Rights Commissioner echoing these concerns about the lack of accountability. Amnesty International, she declared, stands firmly against impunity for war crimes.

Meanwhile, a separate commemoration was held at the University of Jaffna, further reflecting the widespread remembrance across the North and East of Sri Lanka.