Excavations at a suspected grave site in Kurukkalmadam, Batticaloa, concluded without the discovery of human remains or artefacts, the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) said in a statement issued on April 3, 2026.
The excavation, conducted under the supervision of Kaluwanchikudy Magistrate D. Pradeepan, began on March 30 and continued for three days. Authorities said a specific location identified within the site was excavated, but no evidence was found, and the pit was subsequently closed.
Officials said sandy soil conditions and the presence of water made excavation technically challenging. However, the site was examined using archaeological excavation techniques.
The technical team included Judicial Medical Officers with expertise in forensic anthropology appointed by the Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo, along with officials from the Department of Archaeology, Scene of Crime Officers, and the Sri Lanka Police.
Officials from the Office on Missing Persons observed the excavation, while lawyers representing complainants were also present. More than 50 family members of missing persons attended the first day of excavations, with additional families visiting the site over the following days.
The excavations were carried out following a court order issued on August 25, 2025, by former Magistrate J.B.A. Ranjithkumar, under provisions of the Office on Missing Persons Act No. 14 of 2016, which allows the OMP to seek court authorization for excavations at suspected grave sites.
The Kurukkalmadam site was initially identified based on a complaint received in 2014. In 2015, ground-penetrating radar examinations were conducted at locations identified by a witness, which formed the basis for the recent excavation.
The Office on Missing Persons said investigations will continue to identify other potential locations within the site.