(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The report of the results of radiocarbon dating tests conducted on the bone samples found from the mass grave in Mannar in Northern Sri Lanka is expected to be received on Thursday (February 14), Judicial Medical Officer Dr Saminda Rajapaksha has said.
The human bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave were sent to the Beta Analytics in Florida, USA for radiocarbon dating to determine the time periods in which the deaths occurred.
Skeletal remains of 315 people and human bones have been unearthed from the mass grave found in Mannar. Out of those, skeletal remains of 307 individuals have been systematically removed and currently sealed and placed in a special chamber at the Mannar Magistrate’s Court complex. Among the bones found are skeletal remains of 26 children.
The excavations at the grave site commenced yesterday(11) for the 142nd day.
Following the discovery of human remains on 26 March 2018 at the old Sathosa building in Mannar, the excavation of the site started on 28 May 2018 under the supervision of Mannar magistrate. Excavations continued after the area of site was expanded twice.