Forty-four human skeletons unearthed in Mannar mass grave

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - Excavators have unearthed forty-four skeletal remains and bone fragments during excavations carried out at a mass grave in Mannar. These excavations began after discovering bone fragments while the ground was dug up for the construction of the Mannar Sathosa Building in March. Excavations commenced on the 28^th of May following a court order issued by the Mannar Court. A group of Judicial Medical Officers led by Mannar Hospital JMO, Specialist Doctor Chaminda Rajapaksa are involved in the process, together with Professor Raj Somadeva -who will be conducting the Forensic archaeological examination. A member of the team said 10 human skulls have been unearthed in addition to the 44 skeletal remains and among them are those that of four children. The team members noted some of the skeletal remains are those of elderly men and women. It was added that none of the skeletal remains showed signs of gunshot injuries. According to the Mannar hospital JMO, they have located 39 human skulls in just 33 days. The skeletal remains of 26 people have been securely moved from the site and placed in a safe location.