Killing the Travellers

Duration: 25 Minutes
Language: Tamil with English Subtitles
Country of origin: Sri Lanka
Filmed in May 2023
UK Premiere: Activists Without Borders Film Festival (Nov 2024)
Sri Lankan Release: July 2025
IMDB

A documentary revealing the Kurukkalmadam Massacre and the abductions of travellers on roads to and from Kattankudy during the civil war in Sri Lanka.

Synopsis
In 1990, Sri Lanka was in the midst of a civil war between the government and the LTTE, who were fighting to create an independent Tamil state. Muslims residing in the northeast were tragically caught in the crossfire, enduring immense and unjust suffering. During this tumultuous era, hundreds of innocent travellers fell victim to abductions along the routes to and from Kattankudy.

This documentary unfolds the story of survivors and those who never returned home. The mother and sister of the forcibly disappeared Ameer and Rauf recount the day of horror, while a survivor of a similar abduction recalls the ordeals faced by the roadside. Despite all the past horrors, all three emphasise the importance of restoring the Tamil-Muslim relationship in Sri Lanka, which was devastated by the LTTE.

Story
On the 12th of July 1990, Ameer (21) was kidnapped while he was returning home in Kattankudy from Kalmunai, along with 71 other travellers, including those who had just completed the Hajj pilgrimage. They were brutally murdered and buried in a mass grave in Kurukkalmadam. Ameer’s brother, Rauf (19), had returned home from Trincomalee after hearing about the abduction. He himself was abducted on the 10th of September 1990 in a Tamil neighbourhood.

Aasiya, the mother, and Hinaya, the sister of both abductees, recall their memories with Ameer and Rauf. They describe the horrifying days when both were kidnapped and explain how the relationship between the Tamil-Muslim communities was shattered due to the actions of Tamil community militants, specifically the LTTE.

Meanwhile, Ismail was running a business in a town away from home and used to travel regularly. He was taken captive by the LTTE while he was out and endured unimaginable suffering, coming perilously close to losing his life. Fortunately, he managed to survive and now shares his account of what exactly transpired during the abduction and why these travellers were targeted.

About the Filmmaker

Baazir Kaleelur Rahman is a British-Sri Lankan independent documentary filmmaker and rights activist, currently working at a wildlife trust in the UK. He is the founding director of People’s Rights Group (PRG Sri Lanka) and collaborates with Activists Without Borders and several other international organisations on Sri Lankan issues.

Baazir holds an MBA in Humanitarian Action from Roxbourg, Switzerland, and an MA in Documentary Production from the University of Salford, UK, where he achieved a first-class degree and won the Prize for Outstanding TV Documentary Practical Research Project award.

He is known for Breaking Barz, a short documentary celebrating the legacy of Len Johnson, a UK boxing champion and activist who was denied his title due to racial discrimination. The film has won multiple awards, including recognition at the London Director Awards.

Baazir was formerly the Chief Editor at Nesan Publications and Associate Editor of Social Vision Magazine. He has been actively involved in a wide range of campaigns and has produced award-winning documentaries that expose both human and environmental injustices.

His recent article on the Kurukkalmadam massacre can be read on Colombo Telegraph https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/kurukkalmadam-why-is-muslim-grief-still-ignored-while-chemmani-gets-justice/

Sri Lankan Premiere and Panel Discussions

Academy for Social Justice is a Sri Lanka-based Institution that serves as a dedicated research and educational platform focused on addressing social, political and human rights issues. Bringing together lawyers, academics, and activists, the Academy works to analyse community challenges, advocate for justice, and build a fairer, more inclusive Sri Lanka.

Activists Without Borders collaborated with the Academy for Social Justice in Sri Lanka to screen the film and host a panel discussion on enforced disappearances in Colombo and various locations across the country to raise awareness.

Event at Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Colombo

The film will be screened in Colombo, Puttalam, and Kattankudy in Sri Lanka, followed by panel discussions. The Colombo event will take place at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute on Wednesday, 30th July 2025. If you would like to join, please email us: hello@activistswithoutborders.org.uk

Click here Watch the Colombo Event Video

Film Screening | Kattankudy | 3 August 2025

Screening and Discussion | Kattankudy | 8 August 2025

Screening and Discussion | Batticaloa | 28 August 2025

The Impact

Media Coverage

Killing the Travellers documentary sheds light on forgotten Kurukkalmadam massacre
https://www.ft.lk/news/Killing-the-Travellers-documentary-sheds-light-on-forgotten-Kurukkalmadam-massacre/56-780961

Killing the Travellers: A Powerful Documentary Exposes a Forgotten Massacre in Sri Lanka
https://thegenevatimes.ch/killing-the-travellers-a-powerful-documentary-exposes-a-forgotten-massacre-in-sri-lanka/

Baazir’s New Documentary Sheds Light on Kurukkalmadam Massacre
https://english.newsnow.lk/2025/08/07/baazirs-new-documentary-sheds-light-on-kurukkalmadam-massacre/

‘Killing the Travellers’ Documentary Highlights Kurukkalmadam Massacre, Demanding Justice for Forgotten Muslim Victims
https://srilankabrief.org/killing-the-travellers-documentary-highlights-kurukkalmadam-massacre-demanding-justice-for-forgotten-muslim-victims/

New Documentary Launched on 1990 Massacre of Hajj Travellers in Kurukkalmadam
https://www.newswire.lk/2025/08/04/new-documentary-launched-on-1990-massacre-of-hajj-travellers-in-kurukkalmadam

Kurukkalmadam Where the dead still wait to speak
https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2025/08/10/news-features/59191/kurukkalmadam-where-the-dead-still-wait-to-speak/

Breaking the silence, fighting erasure
https://dailyexpress.lk/infotainment/events/32472/

Comments on Socials

Reviews & Comments

From a bird’s-eye view to a sorrowful song, voices of survivors and loved ones paint an unforgettable tragedy. Not just a ‘tragic incident’ – this is a deep, unhealed wound in our collective memory. Baazir, Activists without Borders, and the team have transformed a scar of war into a powerful work of art. Because war stories must live on – in poetry, literature, song, and film. – Siraj Mashoor, Academic

A painful watch. A sensitive and under stated portrayal. The narrators are the best here, looking back, they make us relive those terrible moments, but do so with a fresh outlook. We are all still seeking answers to not just what happened, but why! And we are still floundering. Thank you Baazir Kaleelur Rahman. – Sivamohan Sumathy, Filmmaker/Academic

A powerful documentary. Baazir Kaleelur Rahman – your work is truly excellent, and I appreciate the timely creation. Keep up the magnificent humanitarian work; you’re doing a great job! Best of luck! – Badr Zamaan Mustapha, Barrister-at-Law, UK

Killing the Travellers is a moving documentary with brilliant storytelling – it not only brought tears to my eyes but also left a deep ache in my heart. Through honest and unbiased narration, it gives voice to painful truths that are too often forgotten. Every soul lost in this struggle had value, and this film powerfully reminds us of that. It stands as a remarkable work of cinema that seeks justice while preserving memory with dignity and compassion. Special thanks to filmmaker Baazir for bringing world-class cinema to Sri Lanka. – Marie Mahendran – Writer, Author & Filmmaker

An important documentary to watch as part of understanding the complex history of Sri Lanka especially during the conflict. – Amjad Mohamed-Saleem, Academic, Geneva

Baazir Kaleelur Rahman, good job on the documentary. It’s a timely and thought provoking film that speaks for itself. Although a narrative could have added context, the facts presented are so powerful that the documentary stands as historical evidence. Best of luck with your future projects! – Irfan Iqbal, Journalist, UK

A great injustice to our community. Many losses in our family too. The injustice that happened that day is a talking point in front of the people today. Baazir Kaleelur Rahman Thank you so much for this service you did for our community. – Mohamed Haris

A film that pierces the heart without shouting – quietly, powerfully revealing one of this country’s most tragic mass killings. No pretence, no forced tears – just truth, tone, and shock that leaves you still. A must-watch for everyone born in this land. – Rumman, Author & Filmmaker

Kurukkalmadam Massacre has been documented very powerfully by director Baazir Kaleelur Rahman. This documentary is not only a deeply moving creation but also technically well-executed and of high quality. – Joseph Selvaraj, Writer & Poet, India

In just 25 minutes, this documentary powerfully captures a mother’s 35-year wait and the harrowing account of a Muslim man who escaped abduction. As Maruthoor Basheer wrote in Sonaga Desam (2006): ‘History is strong and unyielding. Atrocities planned against a community never vanish from history. Even centuries later, they rise again, unchanged in their scent of blood…’ Baazir Kaleelur Rahman and his small team have done the vital work a community must do – bringing hidden truths to light. – Irham Segudawood, NGO Professional

Just finished watching Killing the Travellers – the impact is beyond words. An extraordinary and outstanding work by you and your team – kudos! Though I was born after that time, I grew up hearing these stories. My grandfather, along with many in our family, was martyred then. This work will live on for a lifetime. Keep going strong! – Musharrif Shareef

Feels like you just cracked open the first page of a classified case file. This untold story might be the key to reveal something much bigger. –Mohamed Rifkan

A historical attempt where the history has spoken back and that will remain in the history. Good job team and more expected on the social point of view. – Rifai Kaleel

Well directed. Thank you for the commendable effort in reviving historical narratives for today’s youth. – Dr. Safran

We had to wait for a generation just to seek justice, and even longer to expose the injustices faced by our community. Our leaders once called us social fighters, yet they remain content with singing rebel songs and showing off, while true justice is still withheld. Best wishes, Baazir. – Dr. Rifaz

Stills from the Film

Full Film & Trailer

Questions and Answers

The title refers to the systematic abduction and killing of Muslim travellers, especially those passing to and from Kattankudy – a small, densely populated Muslim town bordered by the sea on one side, a lagoon on the other, and surrounded by Tamil-majority areas.
While the town suffered from different forms of violence, this film specifically highlights the targeted nature of abductions involving civilians in transit – many of whom were never seen again.

Baazir has been raising awareness about these issues since 2006 through journalism and advocacy. He began filming interviews in 2023 as part of a research project but faced several delays due to participant fears, lack of institutional backing, and political sensitivities.
The film’s release coincides with renewed attention to war crimes in Sri Lanka, such as the excavations in Mullaitivu and Chemmani. In contrast, no investigation has ever been conducted at Kurukkalmadam, despite credible evidence and multiple eyewitnesses. The film is a call to break the silence and demand accountability.

On 12 July 1990, 72 Muslim travellers – including several who had just returned from the Hajj pilgrimage – were abducted and brutally murdered in Kurukkalmadam. Their bodies were reportedly buried in mass graves.
Just days later, more abductions took place in Onthachimadam and other nearby areas. Despite widespread knowledge of these crimes, the massacre remains one of the most underreported war atrocities in Sri Lanka’s history.

No. The film adopts a human rights-based approach, not a political one. It does not seek to deepen ethnic divisions but instead to highlight the suffering of a marginalised community whose experiences have been excluded from post-war narratives.
It calls for truth, accountability, and equal justice for all victims – whether Tamil, Muslim, or Sinhalese.

Survivors and families have remained silent for decades due to fear of reprisal, social pressure, and the lack of institutional support. Some media and civil society actors avoided the subject, describing it as “too sensitive” or “too niche.”
This documentary breaks that silence through the bravery of a few who agreed to speak – making it the first film to document the Kurukkalmadam Massacre in depth.

The filmmaker chose to focus on one survivor and one grieving family to symbolise a much larger collective experience. The short length is deliberate – intended to open dialogue, not to cover everything.
Audiences are encouraged to explore further, ask questions, and help unearth the many still-buried truths.

While the film highlights violence against Muslims in Eastern Sri Lanka, Baazir also acknowledges Tamil suffering and has worked alongside Tamil communities to demand accountability for state and LTTE war crimes.
The film reinforces that justice is not a zero-sum game: all victims, regardless of ethnicity or religion, deserve recognition and redress.

The film seeks to:

  • Preserve memory and ensure that this part of history is not erased.
  • Seek justice for victims and their families.
  • Promote lessons learned to help future generations avoid similar tragedies.

While Tamil victims have increasingly found space in local and international forums to pursue justice, the suffering of Sri Lankan Muslims remains largely excluded from truth commissions, UN reports, and reconciliation efforts.
This film demands that all atrocities – whether committed by the LTTE, state forces, or other groups – be investigated, acknowledged, and addressed with equal weight.

The documentary was completed in 2023 and began screening at various international film festivals in 2023 and 2024. Until recently, screening the film within Sri Lanka had been a challenge due to a lack of institutional support, fear of political repercussions, and limited space for public dialogue on Muslim victimhood during the war. However, with growing interest from local civil society groups and human rights networks, opportunities have finally opened for a Sri Lankan screening. This shift marks a significant and overdue step towards recognising the pain of a long-neglected community.

There is no doubt that the Chemmani mass graves must be fully excavated and that those responsible must be held accountable. Justice delayed is justice denied. But this process must not become selective or exclusionary.

  1. The Kurukkalmadam massacre occurred in 1990, five years before the Chemmani killings of 1995–1996. In Chemmani, investigations and excavations began as early as 1999, with international observers present. In contrast, the Kurukkalmadam massacre – where over 70 Muslims, including Hajj returnees, were abducted and killed – has never received the same level of attention or official inquiry. No credible investigation or forensic excavation has been initiated, despite repeated calls by victims’ families and community groups. Why has Sri Lanka failed to investigate one of the earliest and most brutal massacres of the war, despite its historical significance?
  2. Since the war ended in 2009, numerous domestic and international inquiries have addressed human rights violations committed primarily by the state against Tamil civilians. While these investigations are critical, they have often sidelined the suffering of Sri Lanka’s Muslim community – particularly in cases of enforced disappearances, ethnic cleansing (such as the LTTE’s expulsion of Muslims from the north), and mass killings like Kurukkalmadam. Even major international human rights reports have frequently overlooked these crimes. Why is there so little focus on Muslim victims, when justice should be universal and impartial?
  3. Given this historical pattern of neglect, can the Muslim community realistically expect media, political leaders, or international bodies to prioritise their grievances? The current momentum around the Chemmani case has inadvertently sparked renewed conversation about Kurukkalmadam. But will this attention last? Or will Muslim victims once again be pushed to the margins of Sri Lanka’s post-war justice narrative?

This film seeks not to diminish the importance of Chemmani but to raise a broader question: Whose grief is acknowledged, and whose is ignored? The screening of this documentary in Sri Lanka is a critical intervention in a long-silenced history, demanding that all communities’ suffering be seen, heard, and addressed with equal weight.

Justice is not a zero-sum game. Seeking justice for the Kurukkalmadam massacre does not diminish the gravity of other war crimes in Sri Lanka. On the contrary, it reinforces the principle that all victims – regardless of ethnicity or religion – deserve truth, recognition, and justice. Kurukkalmadam must not remain a silent grave, but a historic symbol of our collective resolve to pursue justice, no matter how long it takes.