News and events

Mannar mass grave cases continue

2018-11-02

The excavation process taking place in Mannar, is continuing on its 100th day as of November 05, 2018. The excavation process is taking place in the ‘Lanka Sathosa’ compound and already excavated earth which is closer to the site in the Mannar town.

Almost 216 human skeletal remains have been identified to date, out of which 209 remains have been removed from the excavation site, packed and handed over to the Mannar Magistrate Court. There were many remains of women and children among the identified human skeletal remains. Attorneys at law of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) visited the excavation site on the above-mentioned-date at 10.30 am to view the excavation site.

Even though there is continuous rainfall in the Mannar district, the excavation process continues and more skeletal remains are identified and removed from the site.

Excavation is being carried out by various groups which comprises a team of judicial medical officers which is led by consultant Judicial Medical Officer A.S. Rajapaksha as well as a team of forensic archeologists led by Professor Raj Somadeva of Kelaniya University. The excavation is conducted under the purview of Mannar Magistrate T. Saravanarajah.

Meanwhile the Thiruketheeswaram mass grave case heard on November 5, 2018 was just another calling date as the Judge was not present in court therefore the case was postponed to November 23, 2018.